MONMOUTH, Ore.— Simon Fraser University came back from a 16-point halftime deficit to get to within five points but ultimately lost 76-67 to the top-ranked team in NCAA Division II, Western Oregon, in Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball action on the campus of Western Oregon.

After trailing by 16 points in the first half, the Clan was within five points with three minute to go against the top-ranked team in NCAA D2. But the Clan couldn't come all the way back.

Senior swingman Michael Harper led the Clan with 18 points and 10 rebounds while freshman point guard Oshea Gairey scored 17 points and had three assists off the bench.

The win extended the Wolves win streak to a season-high 13 games while Simon Fraser was coming off its first GNAC win of the season on Thursday. Western Oregon is now 22-2 overall, 15-1 in the GNAC; Simon Fraser fell to 2-20 overall, 1-15 in the GNAC.

Western Oregon seized control of the first half with a 16-0 run and quickly pushed the lead to 31-18. The Wolves shot 54.8 percent (17-of-31) in the first half building a 46-30 advantage into the break.

Simon Fraser's squad did not back down in the second half, holding the Wolves to just 33.3 percent shooting. The Clan got 19 points combined from Michael Harper and Oshea Gairey, closing the gap to five points with 3:03 to go. Free throws down the stretch increased the lead back to double figures for WOU before a late Harper 3-pointer sliced the lead down to eight.

Three WOU players scored in double figures.

Western Oregon won the rebounding battle, 38-32, including 13-7 on the offensive glass.

WOU took advantage of 11 SFU turnovers, converting them into 13 points.

SFU plays their next home game at 7PM in the West Gym against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, February 18^th.
 
Follow the SFU Clan men's basketball team on the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/SFU_MBB.

--@SFUClan--