Box Score Fairbanks, AK – Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Toronto, ON) recorded her seventh double-double of the season, and 48th of  her Great Northwest Athletic Conference career to tie the GNAC career record as the Simon Fraser University women's basketball team defeated the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, 71-56.

Starting the New Year with a bang, Raincock-Ekunwe led all players on the court with 23 points and 16 rebounds on the evening, in the Clan's first conference road trip game of the season.  

Teammate Kristina Collins (Port Coquitlam, BC) would also add 14 points and 7 rebounds in the Clan's first game of 2013.

Alaska Fairbanks top scorer was Jacqueline Levato as she recorded 15 points on the night, and SFU sophomore Erin Chambers (Mission, BC) would add 12 of her own.

“Kristina was excellent in the first half, going four for five from the three-point line, but ultimately we did not take care of the ball well tonight,” said head coach Bruce Langford.  “We did not have enough team offence, and became complacent in the second half, where Alaska was able to get back into the game.”

The game started slow with as both teams were unable to capitalize on their chances and turnovers plagued the two sides.

Collins would open the scoring at 17:39 as she sunk a three-point shot from a Katie Lowen (Lethbridge, AB) pass.

Chelsea Reist (Mission, BC) and Raincock-Ekunwe would add baskets of their own as the Clan took a 7-0 lead, but the Nanooks answered back quickly at 16:17.

Back and forth play continued throughout the half as the Clan uncharacteristically turned the ball over to the Nanooks, recording 17 turnovers during the first 20 minutes.

In the final eight minutes of the period SFU managed to turn their game around, shutting the Nanooks out for five whole minutes of play, and scoring 11 points of their own before being answered by the home team.

The half ended 43-20 in the Clan's favour.

The Nanooks opened the scoring in the second half and the two teams would continue to battle hard for the ball as play moved back and forth.  

Turnovers continued to be a problem in the second half for the Clan, as the Nanooks were able to score 25 points off turnovers in the game, 18 of which were in the second half of play.
 
Strong performances from seniors Raincock-Ekunwe and Collins kept the Clan ahead, as the two combined for 37 points on the night, leading the Clan to the 15 point victory.

“We are going to need to be ready to play Saturday,” continued Langford.  “Anchorage will be aiming to take their revenge [for this evening's loss against WWU] out on us, and we need to gather ourselves and know our jobs for the game.”

With the win, the Clan's record improves to 10-1 on the season and 3-0 in GNAC play.

The Clan ladies are back in action Saturday, January 5 in Anchorage, AK as they face the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.  Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. PST.