Women's Basketball | 2/5/2011 4:45:46 PM

Box Score [Box score] I [Postgame Notes]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Four players reached double figures as the Western Oregon women's basketball team ended a three-game skid by defeating Simon Fraser 75-68 Saturday, Feb. 5 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

Junior forward Rylee Peterson (Newport, Ore.Newport) scored a team-high 19 points and blocked five shots. Senior guard Sara Zahler (Newberg, Ore./Newberg) recorded 17 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Jamie Richardson (Grants Pass, Ore./Hidden Valley) registered 13 points while contributing five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Freshman forward Melissa Fowler (Canby, Ore./Canby) added 12 points and seven rebounds.

"We really played a well-rounded team game today," WOU head coach Greg Bruce said. "Jamie was huge in all facets. Lorrie rebounded it very well, Rylee had her usual blocks, Sara hit 7 shots, and I thought Melissa played really well."

The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw nine ties and 16 lead changes. The Wolves (8-11, 6-5 GNAC) broke a 44-44 tie on a triple by Peterson that ignited a 12-0 run, putting WOU up 56-44 with 11:46 left to play.

The Clan (5-12, 2-10 GNAC) responded with a run of their own which trimmed Western's lead to three at 65-62 with 4:12 remaining. Simon Fraser would make just two more shots, however, as the Wolves connected on all eight of their free throw attempts down the stretch to earn the victory.

"I just tried to get out of my head about it," said Richardson, who made WOU's last six free throws. "I had been struggling shooting free throws in practice, so I told myself to just shoot the ball. They all felt good when they left my hand, so I was confident they were going to go in."

The score was tied 34-34 at the half.

Simon Fraser's star forward Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Guard Kristina Collins led all scorers with 24 points.

Western returns to action in a rare Monday game, hosting No. 7 Western Washington in a GNAC counter Feb. 7. Tip time is set for 5:00 pm PST.