A tremendous start doesn’t always lead where you want to go.
The Simon Fraser University women’s basketball team jumped out and looked like giant killers Monday, only to fall 77-64 to No. 2-seed California Baptist in the NCAA Div. 2 West Regional final in Anchorage, Alaska.
Having already dispatched the host and No. 1-seed Seawolves two days earlier, SFU charged ahead with a 25-15 advantage in the opening eight-and-a-half minutes, but were outscored 64-39 the rest of the way to end the season the way they started it – with a loss to California Baptist.
The California team now advances to the NCAA championships, having won 31 straight games.
Elisa Homer led SFU offensively with 14 points and connecting on four of 10 three-point shots. Coming off the bench to tally 13 points was Tayla Jackson, while Rachel Fradgley added 12 points and eight rebounds.
The quick start was fuelled by some stellar shooting from freshman Ozi Nwabuko, who hit on her first five field goal attempts, while Homer drained a pair of treys to build a 10-point lead.
However, the No. 5 seed could keep up with California down the stretch, including a 23-6 run that turned the tables on the underdogs.
Senior guard Ellen Kett capped her decorated career with four assists, giving her a GNAC record 262 on the year and second-best career total of 692. She was named to the all-tournament team.
Two days earlier, SFU shocked No. 2-nationally ranked Alaska 80-70 to advance to the final.
SFU finished the season with a 26-8 record.
