NAMPA, ID ---

Thursday night, Simon Fraser were tough competitors for Northwest Nazarene University, giving them a good battle on their own home court despite trailing NNU throughout most of the game. Simon Fraser did bring the heat to NNU in the final quarter, tying things up with Northwest Nazarene, but unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to take the game from NNU as SFU came up one basket short, by a final score of 85 to 84. 

Northwest Nazarene was a force for Simon Fraser to reckon with early in the first quarter, as they took an almost immediate 8-point lead. SFU battled back over the opening quarter though and was able to close the gap to just 2 baskets as things headed to the second frame. Simon Fraser made Northwest Nazarene work in the second quarter, taking their first lead since the opening basket with a three pointer by Jessica Wisotzki. Despite their second quarter successes, SFU found themselves trailing at the half, 49 to 48.   

Although Simon Fraser was close to NNU at halftime, they were unable to re-take the lead in the third quarter. Northwest Nazarene put on an impressive display, ending the quarter with a 7-point lead, and making a comeback for Simon Fraser more challenging entering the fourth quarter.
 
Tayler Drynan got SFU off to a good start in the final quarter, putting up two good baskets, in addition to getting to the free throw line. This helped bring Simon Fraser within two points of NNU early in the 4th. Things remained tightly contested from there on out, and it became anyone's game in a nail biting final 30 seconds, with Simon Fraser one point behind 82 to 81. Then, with 14 seconds left, Tayler Drynan hit a tough layup and drew a foul which led to a 3-point play, and SFU jumped ahead by a single point at 83 to 83. 

Unfortunately for SFU, NNU's Marina Vales responded with a layup in the final seconds at the other end of the court, and the home team held on for a narrow victory by a final score of 85 to 84.

Statistically, Simon Fraser outshone NNU from three point range, shooting 37.9%, while NNU shot just 25%. Jessica Jones and Tayler Drynan were team leaders for SFU, each putting up 16 points. Jones was also able to grab 7 rebounds and 1 steal, while Drynan totaled 5 assists and 2 steals. 

Up Next, Simon Fraser will play Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on January 18 at 5:00 PM.