MONMOUTH, Ore. – Simon Fraser University had two chances to win in the final seconds but missed both, losing 58-57 to Western Oregon Wolves in Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball action on New Year's Eve.
 
Trailing by one, 58-57, with 28 seconds left in the game, Simon Fraser senior guard Alisha Roberts' game-winning three-pointer with 14 seconds left missed. But freshman forward Sophie Swant grabbed the rebound to give the Clan a second chance. With three seconds remaining, forward Rachel Fradgley missed her field goal attempt at the buzzer.
 
Sophomore guard Elisa Homer had given the Clan its only lead of the fourth quarter when she nailed a three-pointer with 90 seconds left, giving SFU a 57-55 lead.
 
The Wolves hit one of two free throws to pull within one, 57-56, with 1:10 to play. After a timeout, Wolves guard Sydney Azorr stole the ball from Ellen Kett. Homer was forced to foul and Azorr made both free throws, setting the stage for the Clan's final two attempts in the waning seconds.
 
With the win, the Wolves improved to 2-9 overall and 1-2 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while the Clan fell to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the GNAC.
 
WOU held a seven-point lead at the half, and extended it to 11 points, 40-29, midway through the third quarter before the Clan came roaring back. Simon Fraser held the Wolves scoreless for a five minute stretch in the third quarter, going on a 12-0 run to take a 41-40 lead.
 
The Wolves regrouped to take a 48-44 advantage at the third quarter break.
 
Three Simon Fraser players made it to double digits as Kett had 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, and Homer and guard Vanessa Gee each had 12. Kett added six assists and two steals playing all 40 minutes.
 
All eight players who dressed for the Clan played at least 15 minutes.
 
Simon Fraser was 19-of-57 (33.3 percent), and made 8 of its 23 attempts from 3-point range (34.8%).
 
WOU was 21-of-48 from the floor (43.8 percent) and made just 3-of-8 from 3-point range. Emily Howey posted a season-high 14 points to lead the Wolves.
 
Western Oregon had an edge on the boards, 38-33, and got 25 points from its bench.
 
The score was tied 20-20 after the first quarter.
 
Next up, the Clan will open 2016 with a road game against Concordia University (3-8 overall, 1-2 GNAC) on Saturday at 2 PM in Portland, Ore. Concordia lost 63-43 Thursday to Western Washington.
 
--@SFUClan--