Box Score

BURNABY, B.C. (Feb. 16) -- Central Washington University took its only lead of the game with 2:31 remaining, but the Wildcats were unable to hang on in the closing seconds in falling 70-66 to host Simon Fraser University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball action on Thursday night at West Gym on the SFU campus.

The Wildcats fell to 8-15 overall and 4-11 in the GNAC with their eighth loss by seven points or fewer this season. Simon Fraser improved to 15-8 overall and 10-5 in the conference.

Central Washington, which has now lost 27 straight series meetings with Simon Fraser dating back to February 1988, lost its two games to the Clan this season by a combined seven points after falling 67-64 in Ellensburg on Jan. 21. CWU is now 0-5 on the season in games decided by four or fewer, and are 2-8 in games decided by seven or less.

With the exception of ties at 2-2 and 62-62, Central Washington trailed the entire game Thursday until taking the lead on a pair of free throws by junior Alex Dunn (West Valley City, Utah/Hunter HS) at the 2:31 mark. The Wildcats held that 64-62 lead for the next 68 seconds, and had an opportunity to extend their advantage after getting a turnover from the Clan, but they subsequently turned the ball over themselves. SFU then made two free throws to tie the game, and made eight free throws in as many attempts over the final 1:23 while CWU was just 1 of 5 from the floor during that span.

The Wildcats kept the game close throughout against the conference's third-place team, trailing by no more than 11 at any point in the contest. They trailed by 10 after the opening basket of the second half, but kept the lead at single digits most of the rest of the half, and crept to within two at 54-52 after a 6-0 scoring run. SFU responded with six straight of its own, but after a five-point deficit with 4:39 left, Central Washington scored seven straight points over the next two minutes to take the lead.

Offensively, Central Washington was efficient from three-point range, where it made 8 of 18 attempts, but the Wildcats finished the game at just 33.8 percent overall. CWU committed just 10 turnovers and had 12 assists -- led by Dunn's five dimes -- and the visitors made 14 of 19 at the free throw line. However, Simon Fraser finished with a 49-39 edge in rebounding and outscored Central Washington by four at the charity stripe, where the Clan made 18 of 23. SFU finished the game shooting 37.9 percent overall.

Dunn and sophomore Jessica VanDyke (Chester, Mont./Chester-Joplin-Inverness HS) tied for the team scoring lead with 18 apiece, while Dunn led in assists and rebounds (eight). Senior Sophie Russell (Olympia/River Ridge HS) added 12 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Simon Fraser had four players with 10 or more points, led by the game-high 19 tallies of Chelsea Reist. Junior Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe had a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Clan.

Central Washington concludes the away portion of its schedule on Saturday (Feb. 18), visiting archrival Western Washington University for a 7 p.m. contest in Bellingham. The Wildcats then play consecutive home games next week on Thursday (Feb. 23) and Saturday (Feb. 25) against Saint Martin's University and Western Oregon University, respectively.