SEATTLE, Wash./BILLINGS, Mont. – The Western Oregon University women's basketball team continued to fight against Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday before the Seawolves held on for the win. That game started three games this week as WOU will play at Seattle Pacific on Thursday night starting at 7 p.m. and then at Montana State Billings on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. (Pacific).
WOU (8-10, 4-7 GNAC) played an exciting up-and-down game against UAA on Tuesday. Each time the Seawolves looked to pull away, the Wolves made multiple runs to get back into the contest. After trailing by 15 in the final quarter, the Wolves pushed back to get to within six with 2:40 to play. UAA was then able to hit foul shots down the stretch to hang on for the eight-point victory.
On the season, WOU averages 64.7 points, making 423-1,061 (39.9) from the field, 94-335 (28.1) from three and 224-323 (69.3) from the foul line. The Wolves average 38.8 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 8.5 steals and 5.3 blocks. Opponents average 65.4 points, making 406-1,062 (38.2) from the field, 113-353 (32) from three and 252-369 (68.3) at the foul line. Opponents average 36.3 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 9.1 steals and 2.8 blocks.
Meadow Aragon leads the way averaging 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 33 blocks and 69 field goals while shooting over 53 percent from the field. Tresai McCarver adds a team-high 72 assists, 31 steals and 59 free throws, along with 10.7 points, and 5.2 rebounds. Cali McClave is at 9.3 points, while leading the team with 22 three-pointers. She is second on the team with 30 steals. Madisyn Clark tallies 7.7 points and 17 three-pointers and adds 32 assists. Alexis Wright is at 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds, while shooting nearly 50 percent (44-89) from the field. Kaelin Williams-Kennedy is at 5.3 points to give the Wolves six averaging at least five points a game. Makenna Gambee is close with 4.8 per game. Amber Winkler added two more blocks against UAA and is at 27 on the season.
WOU will face Seattle Pacific for the first time this season on Thursday and then the teams will play against on Feb. 21 in Monmouth. The Wolves will see Montana State Billings for the second time this season on Saturday. The teams played in Monmouth on Jan. 14 with WOU taking the 66-57 victory.
SPU is 9-12 on the season and 5-6 in GNAC play. The Falcons rolled to a 20-point win at Saint Martin's on Tuesday. Prior to that game against the Saints, Seattle Pacific lost to Simon Fraser in Canada (64-57) and Western Washington (59-40) on the road before that. They also played Alaska Anchorage in back-to-back games on Jan. 29 falling (60-58 in OT) and then the next day on Jan. 30 (69-61). Both games were played in Seattle.
The Falcons enter the week averaging 59.4 points, making 468-1,185 (39.5) from the field, 111-384 (28.9) from three and 200-285 (70.2) at the foul line. SPU averages 38.6 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 7.1 steals and 3.2 blocks per game. Opponents average 59.4 points, making 438-1,266 (34.6) from the field, 140-448 (31.3) from three and 232-311 (74.6) at the foul line.
Ashley Alter leads the team averaging 12.1 points and four rebounds. Natalie Hoff is at 11.5 points, grabbing 6.9 rebounds. Kaprice Boston and Anna Eddy average around seven points per game with Boston at 7.4 and 4.9 rebounds, while Eddy adds 7.4 points.
Seattle Pacific holds a 38-3 series record since 2001 and have won the past two meetings. During the 2019-20 season, the Falcons won both meetings with a 73-51 win in Seattle and then a 55-53 win in Monmouth. The last win for the Wolves was on Feb. 28, 2019 coming away with the 60-53 win in Monmouth.
Montana State Billings is 13-9 overall and 7-3 in GNAC play. They will face Saint Martin's at home on Thursday before the game against the Wolves. The Yellowjackets had their games postponed last week due to COVID. Last time on the court, Montana State Billings defeated Alaska Fairbanks in Billings (77-71).
WOU put together a strong performance in the earlier meeting with McCarver going for 21 points, six rebounds and three steals. Wright added 16 points and six rebounds, while Cali McClave chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and three steals.
On the season, MSUB averages 67.4 points, making 541-1,331 (40.6) from the field, 133-433 (30.7) from three and 268-353 (75.9) at the foul line. The 'Jackets average 38 rebounds, 15.5 assists, 7.0 steals and 2.8 blocks per game. Opponents average 61.7 points, making 484-1,208 (40.1) from the field, 135-430 (31.4) from three and 254-348 (73) at the foul line.
Taryn Shelley leads the way averaging 13.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 27 blocks. Cariann Kunkel is at 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 37 assists. Shayla Montague is at 7.9 points with 38 three-pointers and Danielle Zahn adds 7.0 points and 75 assists.
MSUB has gone 26-8 against WOU since 2001 and are 13-3 at home against the Wolves. WOU went to overtime during the last meeting in Billings before MSUB took the 87-75 victory. The last win on the road for the Wolves was on Feb. 17, 2018 coming away with the 77-65 win.
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