BURNABY, B.C. – The SFU Red Leafs' Jessica Wisotzki (Langley, B.C.) saved her best for last on Friday night, as the SFU star knocked down a brilliant triple with just 17 seconds left, erasing a two-point deficit and eventually serving as the game-winning bucket in a dramatic 67-65 win over the Cal State East Bay Pioneers (1-2) at the 2023 Warrior Classic in Turlock, California.
 
The Red Leafs (3-3) found themselves up against the ropes late, down 63-57 with just 2:33 left on the clock. Wisotzki set up Grace Killins (Coquitlam, B.C.) on SFU's next possession, as the senior nailed a big-time triple of her own to cut the CSUEB lead down to just three.
 
After the Pioneers stretched it back to 65-60, Killins again came up huge from beyond the arc, knocking down another deep three to keep the Red Leafs within a single possession.
 
Then, SFU's defence got involved, forcing the Pioneers into a shot clock violation with just 20 seconds left. Wisotzki made the opportunity count, taking a terrific pass from Gemma Cutler (North Vancouver, B.C.) as she found a bit of space beyond the arc, drilling the Red Leafs third straight three as part of their 10-2 run in those closing minutes.
 
After Jaela Richardson missed her go-ahead attempt, the Pioneers were forced to foul, and Killins stepped to the line and sunk a free throw to seal the win for Canada's NCAA team.
 

Five Red Leafs players got into double-digits on the box score, as Cutler paced SFU with 15 points and four blocks. Killins notched 14 points, while Jessica Wisotzki, Sophia Wisotzki, and Makenna Gardner – all of Langley, B.C. – each put up 11 points as SFU flashed its impressive offensive depth.
 
On the Pioneers side, Richardson was electric, posting a game-high 28 points in the losing effort.

A Cutler block early in the opening quarter led to a Gardner basket that made it 9-2 for the Red Leafs. It was the largest lead of the game for SFU, as East Bay fought its way back to trail just 19-17 after 10 minutes. The Red Leafs held a slim 30-29 advantage at halftime.
 
SFU will look to close out its California road trip with another win on Saturday, as they take on the tournament host Stanislaus State Warriors at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
The Red Leafs will return home to host Minnesota State Moorhead Tuesday at 2 p.m. Admission to the game at the West Gym is free. It is one of five games remaining on SFU's pre-conference schedule, all leading up to the team's Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener on December 2 in Bellingham against Western Washington.

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