The SFU Women’s Basketball team improved to 5–6 on the season and 3–3 in GNAC Conference play with a resounding 90–73 victory over the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders. It was the team’s second home game in three days.
The Clan took an early 15–8 lead on the strength of back-to-back three pointers by Ellen Kent and Elisa Homer. With the clock running down in the first stanza, Vanessa Gee drained a buzzer beater to extend SFU’s lead to 26–14.
The second quarter saw both teams open up offensively with SFU punching back every time NNU tried to make a charge. Second quarter highlights included a beautiful step back 3-pointer by Alisha Roberts, a nifty turnaround post move for a basket by Sophie Swant, a tic-tac-toe fast break from Kent to Homer to Swant, and a Kent crossover and lefty layup. Clan Forward Samantha Beauchamp had an inspired three possession sequence late in the half when she blocked a shot, altered another NNU shot, and then drew a foul after a tough rebound. On a night when the Clan shot 58% from the field, the second quarter ended with a Kent drive and kick to Roberts for a three which gave SFU a 47–34 lead.
The third quarter was the Vanessa Gee show. Gee scored 9 of the first 13 Clan points on a step back three to start the quarter followed by a long two point jump shot, and then two beautiful drives to the basket. Down 60–46, NNU then elected to employ a full court press. This tactic resulted in 6 quick points. This is when forward Rachel Fradgley went to work converting two low-post baskets. The Clan once again scored to end the quarter on the strength of yet another clutch Alisha Roberts three-pointer to take a 67–54 lead into the decisive fourth quarter.
In the fourth, NNU closed to a 69–59 deficit. This is when Ellen Kent grabbed a critical defensive rebound and sagely called timeout when swarmed by NNU pressure. Kent then calmly knocked down her third three-pointer of the game to extend the lead to 72–59. SFU then broke NNU’s back with two fast-break baskets against the press converted by Swant and Homer. Rachel Fradgley continued her dominant low-post play with an offensive rebound and putback, a big shot block on defense and a low-post conversation. Alisha Roberts salted the game with consecutive threes in the final minute. Five Clan players scored in double figures including: Homer with 19 points, Roberts with 17 points, Gee with 16 points, Fradgley with 10, and Kent with 13 points as well as 10 assists.
Legendary coach Bruce Langford remarked on his team’s improved play from Thursday’s home loss. He said, “I thought we came to compete better on Saturday [. . .] Kent was much better distributing the ball and Homer had a brilliant start with 12 points in the first quarter. She also was checking their best player and drew two offensive fouls on her.”
