Canada West Quarter Final: No.1 SFU cruises to opening win of series against Winnipeg

By Olivia Brennan – SFU Clan Media Relations Student Assistant

Burnaby B.C. – In Canada West quarterfinal action on Thursday night, the No.1 ranked Simon Fraser University Clan women’s basketball team opened up the post-season with a convincing 87-54 win over the University of Winnipeg Wesmen in SFU’s West Gym. The two squads will meet again on Friday night at 6:15 pm for the second game of this best-of-three series to determine who will advance to the Canada West Final Four next weekend.

Despite allowing the Wesmen to score the game’s opening points, the Clan got off to a hot start, opening up a 17-4 lead in the first part of the starting quarter. Simon Fraser continued to control the game from there, allowing the Wesmen just 11 points in the first quarter, nine of which were scored by point guard Caitlin Gooch. Laurelle Weigl (Stony Plain, AB) led the Clan in scoring in the opening quarter with seven points as the Clan led 24-11 after ten minutes of play.

SFU carried that momentum into the second, opening up the quarter with a seven-point run. The Clan took a 31-11 lead before the Wesmen were able to make a shot. The Clan once again limited the Wesmen to 11 points in the second, giving themselves a comfortable 44-22 lead heading into the second half.

The third quarter was the highest scoring quarter of the game with the Clan outscoring the Wesmen 24-15. Robyn Buna (Kelowna, BC) put together a commendable eight-point streak early in the quarter for the Clan featuring back-to-back three pointers, while Gooch continued to charge for the Wesmen scoring 15 points to that point in the game. SFU maintained control from that point on, cruising to an 87-54 win over the Wesmen.

Weigl had a game high of 18 points, while Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (Vernon, B.C.) added 14 for the Clan. Buna and Kate Hole (St. Albert, AB) also hit double digits for the Clan with 12 points each in the victory. For Winnipeg, Gooch finished with a team high 17 points in the loss.

The Clan and the Wesmen will rematch on Friday night in the second game of the best-of-three series. A victory for the Clan on Friday will grant them a spot in the Canada West Final Four next weekend, while a win for the Wesmen will push the series to a third game, which is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1 pm if necessary. Tip-off for Friday’s match is scheduled for 6:15 pm in SFU’s West Gym and will be broadcast live on ClanTV.