Tuesday, December 24, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. – After a mandatory seven-day inactive period over the holidays, Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s basketball will resume the first week of January with conference games scheduled for Jan. 2 and 4.

Eight GNAC teams closed out their 2013 schedules last week, with several teams seeing tournament action. Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA rankings will be released next week following the holiday break.

RECAP

Alaska Anchorage (9-1) won both of its games last week during the AT&T Hoops Classic, extending its winning streak to four straight and earning GNAC Team of the Week honors. Kiki Robertson and Alli Madison were instrumental for the Seawolves, as the duo combined for 21 steals and Robertson averaged 12 points per game last week. 

Despite a last-ditch three-point play from Bobbi Knudsen that gave MSU Billings the lead, the Yellowjackets (8-4) fell to No. 6 Drury on a buzzer-beater last week in the Holiday Classic in Las Vegas. Knudsen scored 32 points, dished out 17 assists and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Yellowjackets also picked up a win over Texas Woman’s, and Knudsen was named GNAC Player of the Week.

Saint Martin’s (8-3) won its fifth game in a row behind a stellar 18-point performance by Angela Gelhar. The Saints remained undefeated inside Marcus Pavilion, as they sit at 5-0 at home this season and in first place in the GNAC at 2-0 in conference play. 

Seattle Pacific (8-2), Northwest Nazarene (8-2) and Central Washington each split a pair of games last week in nonconference action. SPU fell to West Texas A&M after defeating South Dakota Mines, while senior Katie Benson continued her excellent play with 43 points over the two-game stretch.

NNU lost to Hawaii Pacific on Wednesday, after defeating Chaminade the day before in Hawaii. Taylor Simmons stepped up with 39 points last week, while Megan Hingston contributed 17 rebounds and 21 points.

The Wildcats won the front end of a pair of games against Hawaii Pacific on Monday, before falling in the second game on Tuesday. Jasmine Parker had a career week with 23 points and 26 rebounds, Amber Moser led the way with 12.5 points per game and Ally Schmitt dished out 22 assists. 

Western Washington (4-5) also split a pair of games last week, handily defeating Texas Woman’s after a tough loss to No. 6 Drury. Katie Colard was outstanding for the Vikings, turning in 31 points and a dozen rebounds while shooting 9-of-17 from behind the 3-point line. Tia Briggs was another strong presence for WWU, scoring 27 points and grabbing eight rebounds over the two games in Las Vegas.

Western Oregon (4-6) recovered after a pair of losses in Las Vegas with a solid home win over Simpson on Satuday to close out its 2013 schedule. Dana Goularte scored 55 points over the three games while also leading the Wolves with 23 rebounds. Chantel Divilbiss contributed 33 points, six steals and three blocks for WOU.

Simon Fraser (6-2) snapped its five-game winning streak as the Clan lost to West Texas A&M in Seattle on Thursday. Erin Chambers scored 22 points to remain atop the GNAC scoring leaders, and Meg Wilson came up with a team-high six steals for SFU.

Alaska Fairbanks (4-6) enjoyed a down week as it prepares for a road trip to Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene to open the new year on Jan. 2 and 4.