BURNABY — Simon Fraser University set a conference record by making all 21 of its free throws to beat Saint Martin's 71-52 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball action Thursday in the West Gym.

Nicole Vander Helm led all scorers with 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting but the Clan was perfect at the line to ice the game and lift team to 8-7 overall and 3-4 in the conference. SFU was 21-of-21 from the line, setting a conference record for the most free throws in a conference game without a miss. The old record was 18 free throws made, no misses, set by Humboldt State in 2005. Sophie Swant and Tayler Drynan were both 6-for-6 at the line, Tayla Jackson was 4-for-4 and Vander Helm was 5-for-5.

The Clan plays at home on Saturday vs Seattle Pacific with a 7PM tip-off. SPU defeated Western Washington on Thursday.

Saint Martin's lost for the fifth time in six conference matchups and is 5-10 overall.

Simon Fraser started slowly and actually trailed by 11 points early in this contest after a seven point first quarter. But the Clan turned it on in the second period, out-scoring the Saints 25-11 to take 32-26 halftime lead. The Clan continued to dominate in the second half and iced the game in the fourth quarter by outscoring SMU 22-11.

The Saints were within six points with only 4:10 left in the game. However, Simon Fraser closed out the game on a 15-2 run, with their final 12 points coming at the free throw line, to seal the 71-52 victory. SFU was 5-of-8 on threes and shot 64% (9-of-14) in the second half.

The Clan also had an advantage on the boards, 38 to 29.

Junior forward Sophie Swant had 12 points and nine rebounds in the game.

Saniah Simpson-Patu finished with 21 points on 9-for-17 shooting, along with four rebounds, for SMU.

-- @SFUClan—