Simon Fraser University advanced to the semifinals of Great Northwest conference women’s basketball playoffs.
The Clan rebounded from a disappointing loss to Western Washington in its final regular season game, beating Seattle Pacific 87-79 in a conference quarter-final playoff matchup on Wednesday.
“I thought many people stepped up and played very well,” said SFU head coach Bruce Langford in a school press release. “Meg Wilson was outstanding in the first half and I thought Marie-Line Petit was outstanding in the second half.”
Wilson’s last-second three-pointer of the opening half, highlighted a 13-4 run by the Clan.
Petit took over in the second half, nailing three long-range treys, including her third of the night in the final minute.
New Westminster’s Kia Van Laare also chipped in with three three-pointers.
“We lost it a little bit and had a few stupid possessions. But I think we just stepped back, looked at what we had to do and knew we could break their press,” Petit said in the release.
SFU will play first-place finishers Montana State Billings today (Friday) in Lacey, Washington for a spot in the conference final.
All-academics
Last week, three Clan women were named to the Great Northwest all-academic basketball team.
Katie Lowen and Van Laare were both repeat honourees, while Chelsea Reist earned a first-time nod.
Lowen, a Bachelor of Arts candidate, boasts a 3.45 grade point average, while Van Laare has a 3.36 GPA in kinesiology. Reist, who is close to completing a degree in archeology, earned a 3.38 GPA.
