The Basics

• Final score: RV/#21 Simon Fraser 60, Western Oregon 49
• Records: Western Oregon 7-12, 3-9 GNAC; Simon Fraser 19-3, 10-2 GNAC
• Location: Monmouth, Ore. – New P.E. Building

How It Happened
Despite a pair of 10 point performances from junior guard Sydney Azorr and sophomore forward Ali Nelke, the Western Oregon women's basketball team was not able to overcome ranked Simon Fraser on Saturday in a 60-49 decision in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Clan, ranked 21^st in the D2SIDA Division II poll, got out to a fast start with an 8-2 run that extended out to a 12-5 lead. The Wolves scored the only bucket, a Nelke jumper, over the final 3:12 of the opening quarter to cut the deficit to five, 12-7.
 
WOU would get within three points early in the second quarter on a layup from Savannah Heugly, but was never able to pull even. A pair of triples from SFU's Elisa Homer bumped up the lead to 10 twice in the period before the Clan took a 28-20 lead at the half.
 
The Wolves would get within single digits with a Shelby Snook jumper with 7:49 left in the third quarter and again a minute later with Nelke's lay-in off a beautiful Leah Nicklason assist. Simon Fraser would not allow WOU to get any closer in the frame as the Clan went on a 13-5 run to lead by 13 heading to the fourth.
 
Despite the deficit they faced, the Wolves continued to battle in the fourth quarter as the outscored Simon Fraser 16-14 over the final 10 minutes. Sydney Azorr (seven points) and Nelke (four points) combined for 11 points in the final period.
  
Wolves' Top Performers

• Ali Nelke went 5-of 7 from the floor for 10 points adding four rebounds and a blocked shot.
• Sydney Azorr matched Nelke with 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point land.
• Savannah Heugly had a balanced night with seven points and six rebounds.

 
For the Clan

• Elisa Homer led Simon Fraser with 17 points with five 3-pointers.
• Rachel Fradgley played well in the post finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds.

 
Stats of the Game

• Depth in the paint for the Clan proved to be a factor in the win. Led by Fradgley and Meg Wilson, Simon Fraser had a 36-28 advantage in points in the paint.
• Western Oregon was able to force 21 turnovers, scoring 17 points.
• The Wolves went 19-of-55 from the floor in the game (39.7 percent) and 5-of-19 from 3-point land (26.3 percent).
• Simon Fraser dominated the glass (47-33), with a 19-12 advantage on the offensive glass.

 
Coach Quotes
WOU head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter after the loss:

• "We had another solid defensive effort tonight and I'm proud of how we fought, especially at the end.  Simon is a great team and despite allowing Homer a few early 3's, we executed our game plan and held them well below their average."  
• "We missed some easy buckets early and allowed them second opportunities and they capitalized on them.  We rebounded much better in the second half and that helped us close the gap.  Again tonight, we struggled from the 3pt line as well as the free throw line.  It's pretty rare when we shoot more free throws than our opponent and when we do, we have to take advantage and knock them down."
• "Ali was solid tonight and despite foul trouble, Savannah was productive with her minutes.  Leah was a huge lift for us off the bench, her defensive intensity and ability to get her hands on the ball got us going on the offensive end."
• "We have a tough road trip next week but will be home for two weeks and we are looking to make up some ground this month."
   

Up Next
The Wolves will head to Alaska next week for a pair of GNAC games. Up first will be the second meeting of the year with the Nanooks of Alaska on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Alaska time (8:30 p.m. Pacific).