Simon Fraser University opened the Great Northwest women's basketball season with a pair of wins.
The Clan knocked off Seattle Pacific 7974 in its home opener last Thursday. SFU then defeated Montana StateBillings 62-52 in the West gym last Saturday.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe led the Clan with 26 points to move into third place in conference scoring. Raincock-Ekunwe also added 15 boards to distance herself from the leading conference rebounders with a total of 94 rebounds in six games, while averaging 15.7 boards per game, nearly five rebounds per game better than second-place Kaylie Robison of University of AlaskaAnchorage.
Kristina Collins added 15 points, five assists and two steals for SFU.
On Saturday, Collins had a huge outing, leading all scorers with 26 points, including six three-pointers.
The win improved the Clan's record to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
Raincock-Ekunwe was limited to just 14 points but still managed a doubledouble with 12 rebounds.
Chelsea Reist had 10 second-half points for the Clan.
"Montana State really focused on containing Nayo today which gave other players an opportunity to step up," said Collins in a Clan press release. "Last year's experience is really paying off right now. As a team, we learned the league and what we need to do to be successful at this level."
SFU allowed Montana State to take a seven-point lead early in the second half.
But a Collins' threepointer, with just over 13 minutes left to play, sparked a 20-12 turnaround for the Clan women.
The women's team is off until Dec. 17 and 19, when they play a pair of games against Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona.
Men drop two
The Simon Fraser University men's basket-ball team lost its Great Northwest conference openers.
The Clan opened its NCAA Division II season with a 68-57 loss to nationally ranked Seattle Pacific on Dec. 1 before getting stung by the Montana StateBillings Yellowjackets in a 93-90 defeat on Dec. 3.
Justin Brown led the Clan with 19 points, while conference scoring leader Javari Williams chipped in with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
On Saturday, Williams scored 24 points for the Clan.
