• News
• |
• Schedule
• |
• Roster
• |
• Stats
• |
• Archives

Jan. 15, 2013

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Unbeaten in five league games and all alone in first place, the Western Washington University women's basketball team completes a three-game home stand this week with Great Northwest Athletic Conference contests against Seattle Pacific University on Thursday, Jan. 17 (7 p.m.), and Montana State University Billings on Saturday, Jan. 19 (7 p.m.), at Sam Carver Gymnasium on the WWU campus.

A video stream and live stats for both contests are available at www.wwuvikings.com.

The Vikings, who have moved up 12 spots over the last two weeks and are ranked No.8 in the latest USA Today Sports/ESPN NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll, are 11-2 overall and lead the GNAC standings at 5-0. They are working on a five-game winning streak overall and have won 11 straight at home over the last two seasons.

Last week, WWU posted a 59-57 buzzer-beating win over No.7 Simon Fraser at Carver Gym where it has not lost in seven games this season.

The Vikings opened their campaign with six victories, all at home, before losing twice on the road in northern California. They began their current win streak with close decisions over two Top 25-ranked teams at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic, prevailing against No.6 Washburn KS, 64-62, and No.15 Grand Canyon, 72-68 in overtime.

Two weeks ago, WWU swept a two-game road trip in Alaska for the second time in three seasons.

The Vikings are second in the GNAC in scoring defense (58.5), field-goal percentage defense (36.6), 3-point percentage (36.3), blocked shots (4.2) and assists (17.2).

Three seniors pace WWU, led by center Britt Harris, who is averaging a team-best 14.6 points per game, and is second in rebounding with a 5.5 average. She is shooting 55.0 percent (71-of-129) from the field, second in the GNAC.

Harris scored the winning basket against Simon Fraser, tying for game-high honors in points with 14. She has scored double-figure points in 11 of 13 games this season.

Forward Trishi Williams, who is averaging 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, leads the squad in both assists (3.6) and steals (2.6), and point guard Corinn Waltrip is averaging 9.5 points and is shooting 40.0 percent (22-of-55) from 3-point range.

Williams ranks third among conference leaders in floor accuracy at 52.3 percent (56-of-107) and is tied for third in steals.

Junior forward Sarah Hill, who made her first five career starts during Vikings' current victory string, leads the team in rebounds with a 6.9 average. Sophomore guard Katie Colard, who has started the last six games for WWU, is averaging 10.3 points over the last seven contests.

Seattle Pacific is 10-4 overall and 4-2 (fourth place) in league play, losing two of its last three games following a 9-2 start. The Falcons lead the GNAC in free-throw percentage (79.6) and 3-point percentage (38.1) and are second in scoring offense (74.7) and field-goal percentage (43.9).

SPU is led by second-team all-league 6-1 junior center Katie Benson (14.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg). Two other returning starters from last year's 17-10 team are 5-9 senior forward Rachel Murray (9.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg), a preseason all-conference pick, and 5-9 junior forward Aubree Callen (12.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg).

Another top player back for coach Julie Heisey (8th year, 170-48; overall 17 yrs., 332-167) is 5-7 sophomore guard Suzanna Ohlsen (4.2 apg, 50.0 3-pt. pct.).

WWU leads the series, 53-27, splitting a pair of home-and-home meetings in each of the last four seasons.

Montana State Billings is 11-3 overall and second in the conference at 5-1 (Jan. 17 at Simon Fraser), winning nine of its last 10 games after a 2-2 start.

The Yellowjackets, who lead the GNAC in offensive rebounds (16.6), are led by first-team all-league 5-8 junior guard Bobbi Knudsen, who tops the conference in assists (6.6 avg.) and is second in scoring (18.2).

Four starters return for coach Kevin Woodin (9th year, 144-96) from last year's 18-12 team. They are 5-10 sophomore forward Janiel Olson (9.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg), second among the league's blocked shot leaders at 2.7; 6-1 sophomore center Kayleen Goggins (11.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and 5-11 sophomore forward Quinn Peoples (8.3 ppg).

WWU leads the series, 16-9, winning the last seven meetings.

THREE-DOT NOTES: Harris was MVP at both the West Region Crossover Classic and South Point Holiday Hoops Classic. She also was picked to the Lynda Goodrich Classic all-tournament team ... Williams was the Goodrich Classic MVP, Hill being named all-tourney at the CCAA/GNAC Classic, sophomore forward Sydney Donaldson at the West Region Crossover Classic, and Waltrip at the SPHHC ... WWU earned GNAC Team of the Week honors for its performance at the SPHHS, prevailing over No.6 Washburn KS, 64-62, and No.15 Grand Canyon, 72-68 in overtime.

Last year, WWU finished 22-8 and reached the semifinal round at the West Regional. Four starters and 10 letter winners return from that squad ... WWU was rated No.12 in the Division II Bulletin preseason poll ... Waltrip was a second-team conference all-star last year and was named to three all-tournament teams. She also is a two-time GNAC Academic all-star. Williams was named to two all-tournament teams during the 2011-12 campaign.

TOUGH EXHIBITION SCHEDULE: WWU readied for the season with three exhibition games, two against NCAA I opponents. The Vikings began with a 71-51 home win over British Columbia on Oct. 27, before falling at Seattle U., 100-93 in double overtime, on Nov. 3, and 71-59 at Oregon State on Nov. 10 after leading by four at halftime. Harris averaged 14.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in the three games and Waltrip scored at a 13.7 clip.

PRE-SEASON HONORS: Three Vikings - Harris, Waltrip and Williams - were named to the GNAC preseason all-conference team.

VIKINGS FIRST IN GNAC COACHES POLL: WWU received seven of 10 first-place votes as it was picked to win the GNAC title in the coaches' preseason poll. The Vikings previously won GNAC championships in 2002, 2006 and 2011 (regular season).

HOME COURT DOMINANCE: The Vikings are 429-72 (85.6 percent) in 41 seasons at Carver Gym. Their longest home court win streak was 29 from 1983 to 1986.

COACH DOLFO: Carmen Dolfo is in her 22nd year as head coach at WWU. She has a 457-171 (72.7 percent) record and prior to the season ranked No.12 among active NCAA II coaches in winning percentage and No.13 in victories. Her winning percentage in NCAA II all-time ranks No.24 and her victory total No.31. Dolfo's teams have reached post-season play 20 times and have won 20 or more games 16 times. She has been named GNAC Coach of the Year in 2004, 2006 and 2011; Northwest small college Coach of the Year in 2000 and Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1996. Dolfo was the top Viking assistant for four seasons (95-28, 77.2) and earned All-America honors as a player at WWU.

TRADITION OF SUCCESS: With 889 victories (306 losses, 74.4 percent) in its 42-year history, WWU is one of just 15 colleges in all divisions of the NCAA to reach the 850-plateau... The Vikings have made 39 post-season appearances, including one stretch of 28 straight, with one national semifinal and three quarterfinal finishes ... They have made 13 West Regional appearances in their 14 seasons as a NCAA II member, and also have had 30 20-win seasons ... WWU has had 21 winning streaks of 10 or more games with its longest being 21 ... Former WWU coach Lynda Goodrich, now the Vikings' director of athletics, is a member of the NAIA National Hall of Fame. She coached WWU for 19 seasons, winning more than 400 games (411-127, 76.4 percent). Another Viking NAIA Hall of Famer is forward Jo Metzger (1977-81), who earned first-team All-America honors in 1980 and 1981 ... WWU has had 13 first, second or third-team All-Americans.

COLLEGIATE FIRST: WWU became the first college in the country to boast two 400-win women's basketball coaches. Lynda Goodrich, now in her 26th year as the Vikings' director of athletics, posted 411 victories from 1971 to 1990, and current coach Carmen Dolfo is in her 22nd season with 457.

ON THE WEB: All Viking home games are being video streamed live and are available free at http://wwu.nmtvsports.com. For up-to-date statistics, box scores of every game, records, stories, etc., see the WWU Athletics web page at www.wwuvikings.com. Up-to-date league standings and statistics can be found on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web page at www.gnacsports.com

RADIO BROADCASTS: Selected WWU games are being broadcast this season on KBAI Radio (930 AM) with Doug Lange handling the play-by-play and Mark Scholten providing the color commentary. They also can be heard on the internet at www.wwuvikings.com.

PROBABLE WESTERN STARTERS & TOP RESERVES:

F Sarah Hill, 6-3, *Jr., Richmond, VA/Lloyd C. Bird/ Maryland-Baltimore County
F Trishi Williams, 5-9, *Sr., Mabton, WA/Mabton/Columbia Basin CC
C Britt Harris, 6-2, ***Sr., Marysville, WA/Marysville-Pilchuck
G Corinn Waltrip, 5-6, ***Sr., Tigard, OR/Tigard
G Katie Colard, 5-9, *So., McCleary, WA/Elma

F Sydney Donaldson, 6-0, *So., Edmonds, WA/Edmonds-Woodway
F Erika Ramstead, 6-0, ***Sr., Everson, WA/Nooksack Valley
C Kayla Bernsen, 6-3, *So., Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake
G Jenni White, 5-5, *So., Spokane, WA/East Valley
*letters won

MOST RECENT GAME SUMMARY:

Jan. 10 - WWU 59, Simon Fraser 57 at Bellingham

Harris scored on a layup at the buzzer to lift WWU to a 59-57 victory over Simon Fraser in a GNAC contest featuring two nationally ranked foes at Carver Gym. Harris had 14 points, 12 in the second half, to help the Vikings, ranked No.11 nationally, improve to 11-2 overall and claim sole possession of first place in the GNAC at 5-0 with their fifth straight triumph. Simon Fraser, No.7 nationally, had an eight-game winning streak snapped and fell to 11-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, who leads NCAA II nationally in field goal percentage (68.4) and is second in rebounds (12.8), had 14 points and 21 rebounds for the Clan. The score was tied at 53-53 entering the final minute before the two teams, who went scoreless the first 3:55 of the game, combined to score on five consecutive possessions. Hill put the Vikings in front with a layin with 53.5 seconds left, but Raincock-Ekunwe answered on a post- up to level the score at 55-55 with 41.4 to play. Harris then hit a jumper from the right baseline with 13.8 seconds remaining, but Raincock-Ekunwe responded again with a reverse layup with 5.1 left. The Vikings did not take a time out, and Waltrip raced up the middle of the floor, and while stumbling as she reached the foul line, fed Harris for a right-side layup as time expired. Williams had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists for WWU. She tied the game at 53-53 on a fastbreak layin with 1:53 to play, and assisted on WWU's first two field goals of the final minute. Colard had 11 points, and Hill added 10. Guard Kristina Collins had 13 points for SFU, and forward Erin Chambers added 11. SFU had a 29-23 lead at halftime. The Clan held WWU scoreless for more than six minutes to start the contest before White hit a 3-pointer, and SFU eventually opened up a 19-12 lead, the biggest of the game, with 5:16 left in the half.

USA TODAY Sports DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES' POLL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 15, 2013

USA TODAY Sports Division II Top 25 women's basketball poll, with first-place votes to the right, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th.

Rank	Institution - First Place Votes	Previous Rank	Record	Total Points
1	Ashland University (Ohio) -31	1	17-0	775
2	Bentley University (Mass.)	2	13-0	743
3	South Carolina - Aiken	        4	12-0	705
4	Clayton State University (Ga.)	3	13-0	688
5	University of Indianapolis      5	11-1	634
6	Gannon University (Pa.)	        6	15-1	624
7	Colorado Mesa University	8	14-0	574
8	Western Washington University	11	11-2	522
9	Washburn University (Kan.)	12	10-2	458
10	Simon Fraser University (BC)	7	11-2	454
11	University of Central Missouri	15	12-1	432
12	Augustana College (S.D.)	13	11-2	426
13	Chico State                    	9	11-1	405
14	Holy Family University (Pa.)	14	14-2	372
15	University of Tampa (Fla.)	10	11-1	343
16	Shaw University (N.C.)	        17	13-2	289
17	Stonehill College (Mass.)	23	12-1	189
18	Grand Canyon University (Ariz.)	19	14-4	171
19	Rollins College (Fla.)	        21	10-3	154
20	Minnesota State - Mankato	24	11-2	146
21	Fort Hays State University      18	10-3	134
22	Wayne State College (Neb.)	22	10-3	111
23	Indiana University of Penn.     16	11-4	100
24	Pittsburg State University      20	10-4	75
25	Bloomsburg University of Penn.  25	10-3	67

Others Receiving Votes: Limestone College (S.C.) 54; Dowling College (N.Y.) 50; Assumption College (Mass.) 38; Glenville State College (W.Va.) 33; Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) 29; Tarleton State University (Texas) 29; University of Southern Indiana 26; East Central University (Okla.) 25; Saint Cloud State University (Minn.) 20; Academy of Art University (Calif.) 18; Truman State University (Mo.) 15; University of Wisconsin - Parkside 15; Fayetteville State University (N.C.) 14; Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) 14; Augusta State University (Ga.) 12; Saint Mary's University (Texas) 12; New York Institute of Technology 10; Edinboro University (Pa.) 9; Montana State University - Billings 8; Colorado State University - Pueblo 6; Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho) 6; California University of Pennsylvania 5; Newberry College (S.C.) 5; Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.) 4; University of North Alabama 4; Lewis University (Ill.) 3; Pfeiffer University (N.C.) 2; Anderson University (S.C.) 1; California State University - Los Angeles 1; CW Post Campus - LIU (N.Y.) 1; Grand Valley State University (Mich.) 1; Missouri Western State 1.

Great Northwest Athletic Conference

2012-13 Women's Basketball Report Week 10 (Jan. 15, 2013)

                        Conference      All
                        W	L	W	L       H	A	N
Western Washington      5	0	11	2	7-0	2-1	2-1
Montana State Billings  5	1	11	3	8-0	3-2	0-1
Simon Fraser            4	1	11	2	5-0	3-1	3-1
Seattle Pacific         4	2	10	4	6-1	2-2	2-1
Northwest Nazarene      3	2	11	2	6-0	3-2	2-0
Alaska Anchorage        2	3	8	5	7-4	1-1	0-0
Saint Martin's          2	4	9	7	6-1	1-4	2-2
Central Washington      1	4	6	7	4-2	0-3	2-2
Western Oregon          1	5	6	10	3-5	2-5	1-0
Alaska Fairbanks        0	5	2	11	2-6	0-5	0-0

LAST WEEK: Thursday - Alaska Anchorage 64 at MSU Billings 78; Alaska Fairbanks 71 at Seattle Pacific 82; Saint Martin's 62 at Central Washington 56; Western Oregon 59 at Northwest Nazarene 78. Saturday - Alaska Anchorage 77 at Seattle Pacific 72; Alaska Fairbanks 67 at MSU Billings 73; Western Oregon 49 at Central Washington 60; Saint Martin's 69 at Northwest Nazarene 86; Simon Fraser 57 at Western Washington 59.

THIS WEEK: Thursday - Northwest Nazarene at Alaska Anchorage; Central Washington at Alaska Fairbanks; MSU Billings at Simon Fraser; Seattle Pacific at Western Washington. Saturday - Central Washington at Alaska Anchorage; Northwest Nazarene at Alaska Fairbanks, 5:15 p.m.; MSU Billings at Western Washington; Saint Martin's at Western Oregon, 5:15 p.m.; Seattle Pacific at Simon Fraser.

ALL-TOURNAMENT: Seattle Pacific (Nov. 9-10) - Rachel Murray, SPU (MVP); Mechela Barnes, SPU; Ally Schmitt, CWU; Jessica VanDyke, CWU. Western Oregon (Nov. 9-10) - Mariah Durian, WOU; Brooke Paulson, SMU, Western Washington (Nov. 16-17) - Britt Harris, WWU (MVP); Sydney Donaldson, WWU; Katie Benson, SPU. Great Alaska Shootout (Nov. 20-21) - Alysa Horn, UAA; Kylie Burns, UAA. UAF Mt. McKinley North Star (Nov. 22-24) - Taylor Altenburg, UAF. MSUB Yellowjacket (Nov. 23-24) - Bobbi Knudsen, MSUB (MVP); Brooke Tolman, MSUB; Kayleen Goggins, MSUB. WWU Lynda Goodrich (Nov. 23-24) - Trishi Williams, WWU (MVP); Britt Harris, WWU; Brooke Paulson, SMU; Chelsea Haskey, SMU. Corban Capital City Classic (Nov. 23-24) - Dana Goularte, WOU (MVP); Lorrie Clifford, WOU. Chico State West Regional Classic (Dec. 7-8) - Katie Benson, SPU; Sarah Hill, WWU. UAA AT&T Hoops Classic (Dec. 17-19) - Alysa Horn, UAA (MVP); Sasha King, UAA; Jordan Martin, UAA. South Point Holiday Hoop Classic (Dec. 18-19 at Las Vegas) - Britt Harris, WWU (MVP); Corinn Waltrip, WWU.

POLLS: WBCA (Jan. 8) - 7. Simon Fraser; 11. Western Washington; 40. MSU Billings; 42. Alaska Anchorage; 47. Seattle Pacific, 52. Northwest Nazarene. (Note: The first of three NCAA Division II West Regional polls will be released Wedneday, Feb. 20).

NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Jan. 13): Team (Top 30): Scoring Offense - 20. Northwest Nazarene 74.9; 22. Seattle Pacific 74.7. Scoring Defense - 10. Simon Fraser 53.3. Scoring Margin - 8. Simon Fraser 19.5. Field Goal PCT. - 7. Simon Fraser 45.9; 22. Seattle Pacific 43.9. Free Throw PCT. - 3. Seattle Pacific 79.6; 5. Alaska Anchorage 78.5; 12. Northwest Nazarene 76.9. Rebound Margin - 8. Seattle Pacific 10.5; 23. Northwest Nazarene 7.7. Three-Point FGs - 5. Central Washington 9.0; 9. Alaska Anchorage 8.8; 20. Simon Fraser 7.6. Three-Point PCT. - 12. Seattle Pacific 38.1; 26. Western Oregon 35.8. Assists - 7. Simon Fraser 18.3; 16. Western Washington 17.3; 26. Alaska Anchorage 16.5. Blocked Shots - 22. Simon Fraser 4.8. Fewest Turnovers - 3. Montana State Billings 11.7; 12. Alaska Anchorage 13.9. Fewest Fouls - 11. Montana State Billings 13.2. Assist Turnover Ratio - 3. MSU Billings 1.27; 6. Alaska Anchorage 1.19; 15. Simon Fraser 1.11; 16. Western Washington 1.09. Turnover Margin - 2. Montana State Billings 7.94; 9. Alaska Anchorage 6.92. Individuals (Top 30): Rebounds - 2. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU, 13.4. Assists - 3. Bobbi Knudsen, MSUB, 6.4; 4. Sasha King, UAA, 6.4; 8. Ally Schmitt, CWU, 5.8; 30. Kristina Collins, SFU., 4.9. Blocked Shots - 18. Jasmine Parker, CWU, 2.15. Steals - 27. Sasha King, UAA, 3.08. Field Goal PCT. - 1. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU, 66.9. Free Throw PCT. - 1. Mariah Durian, WOU, 93.8; 7. Erin Chambers, SFU, 91.3; 12. Suzanna Ohlsen, SPU, 89.4. Three-Pointers - 27. Jessica VanDyke, CWU, 2.69. Assist/Turnover Ratio - 3. Bobbi Knudsen, MSUB, 2.71; 21. Suzanna Ohlsen, SPU, 2.11. Double-Doubles - 6. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU, 9; 25. Megan Hingston, NNU, 6.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES (Through Jan. 13): 9 - Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU. 6 - Megan Hingston, NNU. 4 - Dana Goularte, WOU. 3 - Katie Benson, SPU; Chelsea Haskey, SMU; Janiel Olson, MSUB. 2 - Alysa Horn, UAA. 1 - 13 with.

GNAC RED LION PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK: Megan Hingston, Northwest Nazarene (F, 5-9, Jr., Keizer, OR) scored 41 points and also had 19 rebounds as the Crusaders improved to 8-0 at home with 19 and 17-point victories over Western Oregon and Saint Martin's. Hingston, who has six double-doubles this season, made 16 of 29 shots. She also had four steals and three assists.

HONORABLE MENTION: Katie Benson, Seattle Pacific (F, 6-1, Jr., Snohomish, WA), Britt Harris, Western Washington (C, 6-2, Sr., Marysville, WA - Pilchuck), Bobbi Knudsen, MSU Billings (G, 5-8, Jr., Malta, MT) and Chelsea Haskey, Saint Martin's (F, 6-1, Jr., Olympia, WA - Black Hills) ... Benson had back-to-back double-doubles (her second and third of the season) in a win over Alaska Fairbanks (18 points, 13 rebounds) and a loss to Alaska Anchorage (19 points, 17 rebounds). Both rebound totals bettered her previous career high of 11 ... Harris' layup at the buzzer to beat seventh-ranked Simon Fraser 59-57 kept the 11th-ranked Vikings unbeaten in the GNAC. She finished the contest with 14 points, 12 in the second period as WWU rallied from a 29-23 deficit ... Knudsen had 31 points, 12 rebounds and 20 assists (including a school-record tying 13 against Alaska Fairbanks) as the Yellowjackets improved to 8-0 at home ... Haskey scored 41 points, including a career-high 24 in Saturday's loss at Northwest Nazarene.

FROM THE RECORD BOOK: Knudsen's 13 assists is the second highest total in the conference this winter and ranks fourth on the all-time conference single-game assist list. She is the fourth player in conference history to record 13 assists in a single game. Heidi Buehler of Northwest Nazarene did it twice during the 2003-04 season ... Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe had 21 rebounds in Simon Fraser's loss at Bellingham, earning her third 20-rebound total (the first in a conference contest). She is the only player in GNAC history to have more than one 20-rebound game. She is averaging 12.74 rebounds per game in her career and is just one of two players in GNAC history to average in double-digits (along with Kamie Jo Massey of Alaska Anchorage who averaged 10.17 during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons).

HOME WIN STREAKS: Seattle Pacific sustained its first home loss of the season Saturday as Alaska Anchorage earned its first regular-season home victory at Brougham Pavilion in 12 tries. Four GNAC teams, however, remain unbeaten at home this season - MSU Billings (8-0), Western Washington (7-0), Northwest Nazarene (6-0) and Simon Fraser (5-0). Going back to the 2011-12 campaign, here are there overall home win streaks: 11 - Western Washington. 8 - MSU Billings, Northwest Nazarene. 5 - Simon Fraser.

GNAC TEAM NOTES:

Alaska Anchorage: Sasha King scored 42 points as the Seawolves earned a split on their first road trip of the season. King made 10 of 17 three-point shots and all eight of their foul shots. She had 23 points in Saturday's win at Seattle Pacific as UAA won at Brougham Pavilion for the first time in 12 regular-season contests. UAA came into the contest 1-20 all-time in regular-season games at SPU. The only previous win was an 85-74 decision on Feb. 5, 2000.

Alaska Fairbanks: April Fultz had 25 points and Benissa Bulaya and Kelly Logue had 21 each in 11- and six-point losses. Jacqueline Lovato and Taylor Altenburg each had 20 points.

Central Washington: Jessica VanDyke scored 34 points as the Wildcats split two contests. VanDyke made seven of 23 three-point shots. CWU also got 21 points from Leslie Stillar and 20 points and 16 rebounds from Hannah Shine.

MSU Billings: Bobbi Knudsen factored into 60.4 percent of the Yellowjackets' field goals in their games with UAA and UAF, converting on 12 of 34 shots and also contributing 20 assists. Janiel Olson had 24 points along with team highs for rebounds (22) and steals (7). With Olson leading the way, MSUB controlled the backboards against the Seawolves and Nanooks by a combined 92-69 count.

Northwest Nazarene: In addition to Hingston (See Player of the Week notes), the Crusaders were led in scoring by Chelsie Luke (32 points), Taylor Simmons (25 points) and Heather Adams (24 points) in its wins over Western Oregon and Saint Martin's. NNU had 20 more rebounds (80-60) and 12 fewer turnovers (29-41) than their opponents.

Saint Martin's: Chelsea Haskey shot 59.4 percent (19-32) in producing 41 points and reaching double-figures for the eighth and ninth consecutive games. Jordyn Richardson made six of 10 three-pointers and had 26 points ... Thursday's win at Ellensburg extended SMU's win streak to Nicholson Pavilion to five and its overall streak against the Wildcats to six.

Seattle Pacific: Katie Benson, Aubree Callen and Suzanna Ohlsen combined for 103 points as the Falcons split two games. Benson had 37 points and 30 rebounds, while Callen had 35 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Ohlsen netted 31 points and had a team-high eight steals. Callen (4-7) and Ohlsen (4-8) accounted for eight of SPU's nine three-pointers.

Simon Fraser: Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe led the Clan with 14 points, 21 rebounds and four steals in their loss to Western Washington. Also in double figures were guard Kristina Collins with 13 points and forward Erin Chambers with 11. Collins also had seven assists. Raincock moved into eighth place on the GNAC all-time rebound list increasing her total to 828.

Western Oregon: Lorrie Clifford netted 19 points and Melissa Fowler and Chantel Divilbiss each had 18 during WOU's road trip to Nampa and Ellensburg. Fowler also had 13 rebounds.

Western Washington: Joining Britt Harris (14) in double figures in the Vikings win over Simon Fraser were Trishi Williams (12), Katie Colard (11) and Sarah Hill (10). Williams also had eight rebounds. WWU leads the series with SFU 39-31 and has won the last six meetings.

GNAC .690 IN NON-CONFERENCE GAMES: GNAC teams finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 58-26 record. Its winning percentage of .690 is the second best in conference history, topped only by a .708 percentage in 2007-08. Its record against non-conference Division II opponents was 36-22, including 18-8 against PacWest foes, 6-5 with CCAA opponents and 8-6 in games that count as regional contests under the NCAA "contiguous" state rule.

GNAC (18) vs. PacWest (8): NNU 4-0, MSUB 3-0, SPU 3-0, WWU 2-0, SFU 2-0, UAA 1-0, CWU 1-2, SMU 1-2, WOU 1-3, UAF 0-1. PacWest (8) vs. GNAC (18): Cal Baptist 2-0, Academy of Art 3-1, Hawaii Pacific 2-1, Hawaii Hilo 1-1, BYU-Hawaii 0-1, Azusa Pacific 0-2, Notre Dame de Namur 0-2, Fresno Pacific 0-2, Dominican 0-2, Grand Canyon 0-2, Dixie State 0-4.

GNAC (6) vs. CCAA (5): SFU 3-0, UAA 1-0, WWU 1-2, SPU 1-2, UAF 0-1. CCAA (5) vs. GNAC (6): Chico State 2-0, CSU East Bay 1-0, Sonoma State 1-1, UC San Diego 1-2, CSLA 0-1, CSU Stanislaus 0-2.

PREVIOUS RED LION PLAYERS-OF-THE-WEEK

Week of Nov. 5-11: Erin Chambers, Simon Fraser (F, 6-1, So., Mission, BC) scored 51 points and also had 15 rebounds in leading the Clan to three victories, including wins over nationally eighth-ranked UC San Diego (61-58) and No. 13 Grand Canyon (69-60). Chambers connected on 14 of 25 field goals attempts (eight of 13 from beyond the arc) and also was perfect from the foul line making 15 of 15.

Week of Nov. 12-18: Sasha King, Alaska Anchorage (G, 5-6, Sr., Norman, OK - Hutchinson) scored 35 points and also had 16 assists leading the Seawolves to 85-76 and 70-67 victories over Regis. King, who made six of 16 three-pointers, also had five steals.

Week of Nov. 19-25: Bobbi Knudsen, Montana State Billings (G, 5-8, Jr., Malta, MT) scored 44 points to lead the Yellowjackets to a pair wins in the MSUB Yellowjacket Classic. Knudsen, who was selected as the tournament MVP, scored a career and GNAC season-high 33 points in a 91-87 overtime win over Dixie State Friday, then had 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 80-44 win over Notre Dame de Namur. She played just 24 minutes in the latter contest.

Week of Nov. 26-Dec. 2: Janiel Olson, Montana State Billings (F, 5-10, So., Billings, MT) scored 21 points and grabbed 26 rebounds leading the Yellowjackets to 66-59 and 69-68 home wins over Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene, respectively. She also led MSUB in steals with seven. Olson had 13 points and 11 rebounds in Thursday's win against CWU, then had a career-high 15 rebounds, 10 at the offensive end in Saturday's one-point victory against Northwest Nazarene. Her final rebound came on a three-point miss by Monica Grimsrud with 24 seconds left. She then fed Grimsrud, who scored on a layup for the decisive basket.

Week of Dec. 3-9: Suzanna Ohlsen, Seattle Pacific (G, 5-7, So., Monroe, WA) scored 29 points as the Falcons split two games in the Chico West Regional Classic. Ohlsen had an outstanding 9-1 assist to turnover ratio and also was deadly from the three-point arc (making 5 of 7) and from the foul line (converting on all eight of her attempts). She also had seven rebounds and a steal. Twenty-four of her points (a career high) came in Saturday's 89-77 loss at Chico. Twenty-one of those points came in the second half of the contest. Ohlsen currently ranks second nationally in assist/turnover ratio with a 3.56 mark.

Week of Dec. 10-16: Ally Schmitt, Central Washington (G, 5-8, Jr., Snohomish, WA - Montana State) set a GNAC single-game record with 16 assists in a 79-57 home win against Evergreen State. Schmitt also led the Wildcats in the contest with four steals.

Week of Dec. 17-23: Britt Harris, Western Washington (C, 6-2, Sr., Marysville, WA - Marysville-Pilchuck) and Alysa Horn, Alaska Anchorage (F, 6-0, Sr., Kodiak, AK) ... Harris earned MVP honors in the South Point Holiday Hoop Classic in Las Vegas as she scored 42 points and also had 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals leading the Vikings to wins over nationally sixth-ranked Washburn (64-62) and No. 15 Grand Canyon (72-68 in overtime). Harris converted on 14 of 30 field goal attempts and 14 of 19 free throws ... Horn was selected the Most Outstanding Player in the AT&T Hoops Classic in Anchorage. She scored 62 points and also had 27 rebounds, eight blocked shots, eight steals and five assists leading the Seawolves to wins over BYU-Hawaii (100-68), Eastern New Mexico (82-40) and Cal State L.A. (66-56).

Week of Dec. 24-30: Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Simon Fraser (F, 6-2, Sr., Toronto, ON - Kalamalka) had 23 points and a GNAC-record 24 rebounds to lead the Clan to a 87-55 win over Trinity Western Saturday. She broke the GNAC single-game record of 23 set by Kristin Hein of Northwest Nazarene against Humboldt State on Dec. 12, 2009 and equaled by Nyesha Sims of Seattle Pacific against Alaska Fairbanks on Feb. 14, 2012. Raincock-Ekunwe is the 10th player in GNAC history to record 20 or more rebounds in a single game, but the first to do it twice. She also had 22 rebounds against Colorado State Pueblo on Nov. 25, 2011.

Week of Dec. 31-Jan. 6: Chelsea Haskey, Saint Martin's (F, 6-1, Jr., Olympia, WA) scored 18 points and also had eight rebounds and two steals as the Saints upset Seattle Pacific 70-66 Saturday to earn their first conference win of the season. In two games, Haskey scored 34 points and also grabbed 12 rebounds. Over the past seven games, she has averaged 15.7 points and 7.6 rebounds and shot 44.4 percent from the foul line.

GNAC TEAMS OF THE WEEK: Aug. 27-Sept. 2 - Montana State Billings (Women's Soccer). Sept. 3-9 - Western Washington (Volleyball). Sept. 10-16 - Northwest Nazarene (Men's Soccer). Sept. 17-23 - Central Washington (Volleyball). Sept. 24-30 - Central Washington (Football). Oct. 1-7 - Western Oregon (Women's Soccer). Oct. 8-14 - Simon Fraser (Men's Soccer). Oct. 15-21 - Alaska Anchorage (Men's & Women's Cross Country). Oct. 22-28 - Western Oregon (Volleyball). Oct. 29-Nov. 4 - Western Washington (Women's Soccer). Nov. 5-11 - Simon Fraser (Women's Basketball). Nov. 12-18 - Alaska Fairbanks (Men's Basketball). Nov. 19-25 - Alaska Anchorage (Men's Basketball). Nov. 26-Dec. 2 - Seattle Pacific (Men's Basketball). Dec. 3-9 - Northwest Nazarene (Men's Basketball). Dec. 10-16 - Northwest Nazarene (Women's Basketball). Dec. 17-23 -Western Washington (Women's Basketball). Dec. 24-30 - MSU Billings (Women's Basketball). Dec. 31-Jan. 6 - Western Washington (Men's Basketball). Jan. 7-13 - Alaska Fairbanks (Men's Basketball).