The lessons have come early for the Simon Fraser University women’s basketball team.
Launching the year at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference/PacWest Yellowjacket Challenge in Billings, Mont., SFU suffered twin losses in the pre-season tournament.
The California Baptist University Lancers outscored the Clan 43-20 over the second half to walk off with a 79-54 win on Saturday. A day earlier, SFU fell 71-66 to the Academy of Arts Urban Knights.
Against No. 3-ranked California Baptist, the Canadians were tied at the half but were no match over the final two quarters. Burnaby’s Alisha Roberts scored 17 points and converted 44 per cent from the field to lead SFU. The senior guard also corralled three offensive rebounds. Teammate Rachel Fradgley counted 11 points and 12 of the team’s 30 rebounds.
A day earlier, Elisa Homer counted 18 points and Fradgley 17 in a loss to the Knights. SFU trailed by two with 23 seconds left but a travelling call and a quick foul put the ball in the Academy of Art’s hands. Roberts chipped in with seven points. The team was without injured senior Meg Wilson.
SFU heads to California this week, with games against Cal State-San Bernadino, Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Los Angeles, before opening conference action at home Dec. 3 against Alaska Anchorage.
SFU men stop short
The final five minutes was the difference as Central Washington knocked off SFU men’s basketball team 94-82 Saturday on Burnaby Mountain.
Central Washington outscored the clan 16-8 over the last five minutes, after SFU had clawed back from a 47-38 halftime deficit. The Clan got 22 points from Max Barkeley and 20 from Michael Harper to briefly lead 78-74.
SFU entertains Colorado Christian University on Nov. 20 and 21.
