BELLINGHAM, Wash./BURNABY, B.C. – Having last played at Division I Seattle University on Dec. 20, the Western Oregon University women's basketball team begins Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this Thursday and Saturday playing at Western Washington and Simon Fraser.
WOU (4-3) will face #6/#7 WWU on Thursday at 7 p.m. and then at SFU on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Wolves were set to open GNAC play on Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, but those games were postponed. The game against Alaska Fairbanks has already been rescheduled for Jan. 11 in Monmouth.
Tresai McCarver collected a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in the game against Seattle. Cali McClave added 12 points.
On the season, WOU averages 67.7 points, making 187-427 (43.8) from the field, 31-121 (25.6) from three and 69-107 (64.5) from the foul line. The Wolves also average 42.4 rebounds, 14.4 assists and 8.4 steals per game. Opponents average 61.1 points per game, making 142-414 (34.3) from the field, 39-131 (29.8) from three and 105-152 (69.1) from the foul line. Opponents also average 33 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 8.4 steals and 2.1 blocks per game.
Meadow Aragon leads the team in points per game (13.6), rebounds per game (7.7), blocks (19), and field goals (39). Aragon is also shooting 60.9 percent from the field and is tied with Tresai McCarver for the team-lead in free throws made at 15. McCarver leads the team in assists with 27, while averaging 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and is shooting over 44 percent from the field making 24-54. Cali McClave adds eight points per game, along with 13 assists and a team-high 12 steals. Kaelin Willams-Kennedy is at 6.8 points per game, Ana McClave tallies six points per game and is tied with her sister Cali for the team-lead in three-pointers with six. Ana also averages 4.9 rebounds per game. Makenna Gambee is just short of averaging six points per game at 5.9, along with four rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
WOU ranks high nationally and in the top-three in the GNAC in 30th nationally and leading the GNAC in blocked shots (44), 12th nationally and leading the GNAC in blocked shots per game (5.5), 38th nationally and second in the GNAC in defensive rebounds per game (28.9), 60th nationally and third in the GNAC in fewest turnovers (143), 33rd nationally and second in the GNAC in field goal percentage defense (34.8), 60th nationally in rebound margin (5.8), 62nd nationally and second in the GNAC in rebounds per game (41.38), and 81st nationally in scoring defense (61.1).
Individually, Aragon is 21st nationally and second in the GNAC in blocked shots, 11th nationally and second in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (2.75), third in the GNAC in defensive rebounds per game, 34th nationally and first in the GNAC in field goal percentage, and fourth in the GNAC in rebounds per game. McCarver is fourth in the GNAC in assist-to-turnover ratio, and third in the GNAC in assists per game. Gambee is ninth in the GNAC in offensive rebounds per game.
Western Washington enters the week ranked seventh nationally and are 9-0 overall and 1-0 in GNAC play. Last time out, the Vikings cruised to an 83-32 win over Holy Names.
For the season, the Vikings average 72 points per game, making 255-537 (47.5) from the field, 52-150 (34.7) from three and 86-126 (68.3) from the foul line. WWU also averages 41.3 rebounds, 15.1 assists, 7.4 steals and 2.8 blocks per game. Opponents average 49.4 points, making 153-479 (31.9) from the field, 29-147 (19.7) from three and 110-172 (64) from the foul line. Opponents also average 29 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.4 blocks per game.
Emma Duff leads the way for the Vikings averaging 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Along with 17 assists and 11 steals. Mollie Olson is at 11 points per game and 15 assists. Dani Iwami is third on the team with 9.2 points and 23 assists.
The Vikings hold a 35-5 series record since 2001, going 8-2 over the past 10 meetings. The two teams played a wild double-overtime game in Monmouth during the 2019-20 season with WOU claiming the 73-70 win. WWU barely won the second meeting in Bellingham by four points (61-57). The Vikings are 19-1 against WOU in Bellingham during 2001.
Simon Fraser is 4-6 overall on the season and 0-1 in GNAC play. SFU defeated Capilano last time out, 111-45. Simon Fraser lost at Western Washington to open the GNAC schedule on Dec. 4, 82-60.
SFU is averaging 72.2 points per game, making 275-667 (41.2) from the field, 77-249 (30.9) from three and 95-140 (67.9) at the foul line. Simon Fraser also averages 37.2 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 9.5 steals and 2.2 blocks per game. Opponents average 68.8 points per game, making 258-604 (42.7) from the field, 56-181 (30.9) from three and 116-171 (67.8) from the foul line. Opponents also average 35.4 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game.
Jessica Wisotzki leads SFU averaging 16.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Claudia Hart added 9.4 points and 24 assists, while Emma Kramer is at 9.0 points per game, 14 assists and 13 steals.
Simon Fraser holds a 15-5 series record against WOU since 2011 and have won the past three meetings. SFU is 8-2 over the past 10 meetings against the Wolves. During the 2019-20 season, Simon Fraser picked up the 68-59 win in Burnaby and claimed the 64-57 win earlier in Monmouth. WOU claimed the 69-65 win in Burnaby during the 2018-19 season.
Live video and stats will be available for both games.
For the game at Western Washington on Thursday night at 7 p.m.: click here for live video and click here for live stats
For the game at Simon Fraser on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.: click here for live video and click here for live stats
