Morgan Swaim | Freelancer
With conference play starting for most GNAC teams over winter break, this past week’s games on Jan. 4 and 6 were crucial for the Wolves. After winning their first conference game, the team went into a Jan. 4 game against the Simon Fraser Clan on a three game skid against conference foes.
Unfortunately, that slide continued against the Clan, as the Wolves lost 81-67.
The game had one major difference between the teams — free throws. Simon Fraser took 32 shots from the charity stripe, compared to just 13 for the Wolves. Overcoming that large disparity proved to be too much as the Clan capitalized on getting the Wolves in foul trouble.
Kennedy Corrigan lead the team with 16 points, shooting 6-11 from the field. The Wolves also were able to force Simon Fraser into 19 turnovers in the losing effort.
The game on Jan. 6 brought much more excitement and was a landmark victory. The Wolves defeated the Western Washington Vikings for the first time since Feb. 23, 2008. The 18 game losing streak against the VIkings was snapped during the 54-50 victory.
Corrigan started off hitting a barrage of early three pointers, helping secure a 21-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The defense from the Wolves was a key factor in this victory, holding Hannah Stipanovich, the 11th highest scorer in the GNAC (13.1 ppg), to just four points.
With the game locked in at 48-48 in the final minute, the Vikings got out to a late two point lead with a layup with just 54 seconds left. In the last forty seconds, the Wolves were able to draw three late fouls against the Vikings. Junior Shelby Snook had two free throws with just 16 seconds lefts to put the Wolves up on top 52-50.
The Vikings had an opportunity to steal the victory or tie the game, but missed their golden opportunity to tie as Corrigan secured the rebound and was fouled immediately after.
Coming off a huge victory before winter break may lead to some momentum going into this week, as the team will be traveling up to Alaska. Thursday, Jan. 11, the team will be taking on GNAC conference leader Alaska Anchorage. They finish up the trip up north by playing against the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks on Saturday, Jan. 13.
Contact the author at mswaim16@mail.wou.edu
