BURNABY, BC – The Western Washington University women's basketball team was defeated 64-60 in its Great Northwest Athletic conference opener at Simon Fraser University Tuesday night in West Gym.
The Vikings held an 11-point lead early in the third quarter, but SFU whittled away at the deficit and out-scored WWU 19-10 over the final 11 minutes of the game to record the four-point victory. WWU was held scoreless over the final three minutes of the game.
With the game tied 60-60, SFU guard Kendal Sands went to the free throw line after being fouled. She missed both free throws, but a lane violation was called on the Vikings, which Sands made good on her third attempt for the 61-60 lead. WWU junior forward Kelsey Rogers missed a potential go-ahead layup with 38-seconds remaining, and SFU sophomore guard Georgia Swant connected on a 3-pointer with 8-seconds on the clock to seal the win.
WWU drops to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in GNAC play. SFU snapped a three-game losing streak to the Vikings to improve to 6-5 on the season and off to a 1-0 start in conference play.
The Vikings were led by 17 points each from senior center Anna Schwecke and junior guard Emma Duff, but both players were held scoreless in the final quarter of play. Duff recorded her first double-double of the season and second of her career grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds.
Schwecke reached double-figures in scoring for the fourth consecutive game and the sixth time in her career vs. Simon Fraser. In six games vs. SFU, Schwecke has scored 125 points for a 20.8 per game average.
Rogers added 8 points on 4-for-9 shooting, scoring 6 points in the final quarter of play.
Western dominated the boards with a 47-29 advantage in rebounds and recorded 21 offensive rebounds. But SFU headed up in the second half to shoot 43.9% for the game (25-for-57) and were 6-for-15 from 3-point range. WWU shot 36.8% for the game (25-for-68) and were held to 2-for-14 shooting from 3-point range. The Vikings were 4-for-16 from the field in the deciding fourth quarter.
Swant was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and added 3-for-3 from the free throw line for a game-high 20 points. With the Clan leading 61-60 following a free throw with 52-seconds remaining (following a WWU lane violation), Swant hit a deep 3-pointer with 8 seconds on the clock to seal the victory.
Jessica Jones contributed 15 points on 6-for-14 shooting (2-for-3 3FG) and Ozioma Nwabuko added 12 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
The Vikings (4-3, 0-1 GNAC) continue the opening week of GNAC play this weekend hosting Montana State Billings on Saturday in Carver Gym with tip-off at 7:00 pm. The WWU men's team will also host the MSUB Yellowjackets as part of the GNAC doubleheader tipping off earlier in the day at 3:00 pm on WECU Court.
More information on WWU Basketball can be found online at WWUVikings.com/WBB and via social media on Twitter (@WWUBasketball), Instagram (@wwu.basketball) and Facebook (@WWUwomensbball).
One of the premier basketball programs in NCAA Division II, recording a 20-win season in seven of the last 11 seasons, and 34 times in the 48-year history of the program. WWU has 20 seasons of 20 or more wins under head coach Carmen Dolfo, who is the winningest coach of any sport at WWU and ranks among Division II active and all-time coaching leaders in wins, win percentage and 20-win seasons. The Vikings have reached the NCAA II Tournament in 16 of 21 seasons at the Division II level with two trips to the Final Four. The program has 1,026 all-time wins in the 48-year history of the program, and according to available records, is one of just 16 women's college basketball team across all divisions and levels to reach the milestone.
