BURNABY, BC. – Playoff bound Simon Fraser University sent off its seniors with 81-62 win over Alaska Nanooks in the Clan's final Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball game in the West Gym this season.
Simon Fraser (10-7) is one of four teams to have clinched a playoff berth into the upcoming GNAC tournament which will be held March 4-7 in Billings, Montana. No. 1 Alaska (15-1), Seattle Pacific (12-4) and Western Washington (12-5) have also qualified for the post-season.
The Nanooks slipped to 13-13 overall and 5-11 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
Simon Fraser was never threatened against the Nanooks, building a 43-28 margin at the half and pushing the lead to 32-points six minutes into the second half. The Clan was led by senior forward
Erin Chambers and junior forward
Meg Wilson, who scored 25 and 16 points, respectively. Chambers also had seven rebounds and four assists.
It was the final home game for Chambers, who started every game of her career. She is now the all-time leading scorer in GNAC history and set a GNAC record for most free throws in a season.
"Erin's hard work and dedication on the court have helped us grow into the team we are today," said Clan coach
Bruce Langford. "She's ready to go play in Europe and take on the world."
The Clan's other graduating senior, guard
Katie Lowen, scored 15 points.
Lowen came to SFU as a dual athlete being both an outstanding gymnast from Lethbridge, Alberta as well as a member of the Alberta Provincial Basketball teams. Lowen, an Academic All-American majoring in business, started every game at guard this season for the Clan and leads the GNAC in three-pointers.
"Katie has been a tenacious defender who has been responsible for guarding the most dangerous perimeter players on the other teams," said Langford. "She's had a great career and we are going to miss all the intangibles she brings."
SFU will play its final conference game before playoffs on Feb. 28 in Bellingham against Western Washington. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday's game was also Pink Night with proceeds from tickets sales and fundraising activities going to BC Children's Hospital.
Regional RankingsAlaska Anchorage is the top seed in the inaugural NCAA West Regional rankings released Wednesday. Seattle Pacific and Western Washington also appeared in the poll at No. 5 and No. 10 respectively. The West Region ranking will eventually determine the five West Region at-large teams that will make the regional field along with the GNAC, PacWest and California Collegiate Athletic Association champions. The NCAA will announce the West Region participants, as well as the regional host, on Sunday, March 8. NCAA Region play will begin Friday, March 13 at a site to be determined.
