Simon Fraser University will be going to its first Great Northwest conference women's basketball championships this week.
The varsity Clan finished fifth in the conference with a record of 11-7 following a weekend split in its final regular season games.
SFU edged Montana State-Billings 50-49 behind junior Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe's 22nd doubledouble of the year.
Raincock-Ekunwe led the Clan with 20 points and a game-high 17 rebounds in the tightly played matchup. Kristina Collins hit the game-winning bucket with a three-point shot in the final minutes.
With just five seconds left on the clock, Raincock-Ekunwe stole the ball and drew a foul to perserve the the win.
On Saturday, SFU missed its chance to lock up third place in the conference, falling 71-50 to Seattle Pacific.
Collins led the Clan with 16 points, including four long-range treys. Raincock-Ekunwe, the conference scoring and rebound leader this season, was held to just 12 points and five boards.
The conference women's basketball championships began on Thursday (after NOW deadlines) at Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Washington.
IMPROVEMENT
The Simon Fraser University men's basketball team was five wins better than in its inaugural NCAA Division II season.
The varsity Clan dropped back-to-back Great Northwest confernence games at home, falling 104-75 to Seattle Pacific on Saturday after a 94-74 defeat to Montana State-Billings on Feb. 23.
SFU finished its second season in the NCAA with an 8-18 overall record, including 3-15 in conference play.
"A lot of people look at our record and think we didn't accomplish anything this year, but what we did as a team, playing with such a small number of guys for most of the year is unbelievable," said graduating senior Zack Frehlick. "What we built this season is going to be around for years to come."
