Monday, March 18, 2013

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Guard Kristina Collins had a game-high 19 points and center Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe added 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead Simon Fraser to a 76-59 triumph over Grand Canyon in the NCAA Division II Women's West Regional semifinals Monday at Carver Gymnasium.

The Clan, the No.2 seed in the West Region and ranked 11th  nationally in NCAA Division II, improved to 25-5 overall and face the winner of today’s second semifinal game between Western Washington and Cal State Monterrey Bay in the regional championship contest Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Guard Maylinn Smith had 17 points for Grand Canyon, the No.6 seed, which finished its season 23-9.  Forward Judy Jones added 15 points.

SFU held a 23-20 lead after 12 minutes, then went on a 10-0 run with two baskets by Raincock-Ekunwe and 3-pointers by Collins and Erin Chambers to expand the margin to 13 at 33-20 with 3:27 left in the first half.

The Clan held a 42-26 advantage at halftime, then put the game out of reach with a 12-4 burst to start the second half that gave them a 52-32 lead with 16 minutes left. 

The margin was never less than 15 after that.

Raincock-Ekunwe, the national leader in field goal percentage at 65.1 percent, was 7-of-10 as SFU shot 57.1 percent (28-of-49) from the field. 

Chambers and guard Katie Lowen each had 11 points for the Clan, with Chambers a perfect 4-of-4 from the field.