In their 2011 exhibition opener the Simon Fraser University women's basketball team won by a convincing 83-point margin this evening, defeating the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles by a score of 106-23.
Coming out of the gate with a lot of drive, the Clan started the game on a 16-point run and never looked back.
SFU's initial aggressiveness with a full-court press forced 17 turnovers on Kwantlen, keeping the B.C. Intecollegiate team scoreless until Samantha McPhail scored the Eagles' first basket of the game with 13:45 left.
The Clan continued to put pressure on the Eagles throughout the first half and widened their lead. By halftime, the score was 49-6. SFU carried their momentum into the second half.
The Clan used their athleticism early in the second, outscoring the Eagles 16-1 in the first five minutes.
The Eagles showed a little more offensive flare in the second half, increasing their point total to 17, but SFU's strong play was too much for KPU.
"I think this year we will be more aggressive on the boards than we were last year and it showed tonight," explained Head Coach Bruce Langford. "We also have a lot more height this year and we're learning how to use that. I think that's going to be crucial for us."
Chelsea Reist led the Clan with 19 points, while New Westminster guard Kia Van Laare was close behind with 18.
The Clan men's and women's basketball teams will host a double-header this Friday, Nov. 4th as the exhibition season continues. The women's team will play Vancouver Island University at 5:15 p.m, with the men's team following with their first exhibition game of the season against Columbia Bible College at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is $2.00 for students, while seniors and youth are admitted free.
