Mount Hood

The Clan tames the Wolves During Conference, Women’s Basketball lose to Canadian neighbors

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Western Women’s Basketball started the new year with GNAC conference games. On Jan. 2 the Wolves took on the Western Washington Vikings, and brought home a win — beating them 73-70 in overtime.

Last Saturday the Wolves played against our Canadian neighbor, Simon Fraser University Clan. Unfortunately, a “dub” was not taken. 

Though the Wolves suffered a GNAC loss, their play throughout the first quarter showed for strength and strong offense. 

Heading into the third quarter, the Wolves were up by five points, not ahead enough to keep the lead – but this changed once the Wolves were able to gain five more points, to put them at 10 points more than the Clan.

The Wolves stayed strong and held their lead into the final quarter where they were met with a locomotive offense — the Clan challenged every play and took advantage of every mistake. 

The Clan was able to put up 27 points, outscoring the Wolves by 15 points. 

The Wolves weren’t done yet, multiple players took it upon themselves to try and regain the lead, among them, Shariah Green who scored 17 points and Amber Winkler who scored 14 points.

Though the Wolves inched back, it wasn’t enough to overthrow the Clan. 25 turnovers caused great effect to the Wolves, the most turnovers this season and since Feb. of last year.

The fourth quarter ended, leaving the Clan ahead 64-57.

Next, the Wolves face off against Concordia University, away at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7. Their next home game is Saturday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Wild in wintertime, 2020 Winter term sports schedule

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Winter Term Sports Schedule, home games as of January 10th.

 

January

    Men’s Basketball

    11th: 4:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Seattle Pacific

    23rd: 7:30 p.m. in NPE vs. Northwest Nazarene

    25th: 4:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Central Washington

   

    Women’s Basketball

    11th: 2 p.m. in NPE vs. Montana State Billings

    23rd: 5:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Northwest Nazarene

    25th: 2 p.m. in NPE vs. Central Washington

   

    Track & Field

    25th & 26th: away @ University of Portland

 

February

    Men’s Basketball

    13th: 7:30 p.m. in NPE vs. Western Washington

    15th: 2 p.m. in NPE vs. Simon Fraser

    27th: 7:30 p.m. in NPE vs. Alaska Anchorage

    29th: 4:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Alaska

   

Women’s Basketball

    4th: 7 p.m. in NPE vs. Concordia

    13th: 5:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Seattle Pacific

    15th: 4:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Saint Martin’s

    27th: 5:15 p.m. in NPE vs. Alaska Anchorage

    29th: 2 p.m. in NPE vs. Alaska

   

 

    Baseball

    29th: 12 p.m. home vs. Montana State Billings

   

Softball

    8th: home vs. Eastern Oregon

March

Baseball

    1st: 12 p.m. home vs. Montana State Billings

    14th: 1 p.m. home vs. Concordia University

    15th: 1 p.m. home vs. Concordia University

    18th: 2 p.m. home vs. George Fox University

 

    Softball

    13th: home vs. Montana State Billings

    14th: home vs. Montana State Billings

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

First Year, First Race, First Record

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

The ending of Cross Country means the start of Indoor Track and Field, and the welcoming of new members to the team.

Maya Hopwood joined the Wolves this season and right off the blocks made an impact. 

During Hopwood’s first collegiate meet, she set a new school record in the 55 meter sprint, with a time of 7.02 seconds.

Not only did Hopwood break a Western school record, but also earned GNAC Track Athlete of the Week honors.

For a first year, Hopwood is starting on the right foot and gaining well deserved recognition.

The Wolves’ track team return Jan. 18 to start their indoor season in Seattle, Washington.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Hoop yeah, Men’s Basketball sleigh over break

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Men’s Basketball held their final exhibition game on Dec. 14, against the Corban University Warriors. After a rough start to their GNAC conference, losing to both Alaska and Alaska Anchorage, the Wolves came home and dominated over their rival Warriors.

This game was no back and forth battle, but a high scoring game with long point streaks. 

During the second half, the Wolves were able to counter on every mishap the Warriors created, from turnovers to steals — scoring 21 points. 

The final score ended with the Wolves ahead by 20 points, beating the Warriors 91-71. 

This was the Wolves ninth consecutive win over the Warriors since 2002, and this game being won with the most points.

On Dec. 20 the Wolves took on #6 Dixie State University, with another blowout — beating them 91-75, a great sendoff into a New Year. The Men’s Basketball play Concordia next, on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. at home.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

New Year, new WOU — former Western athlete qualifies for 2020 Olympic Trials

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Kennedy Rufener, an Oregon native and two-time All-American Western athlete qualified for the 2020 Olympic trials after running a mark of 2:44:17 during the California International Marathon.

During the marathon, Rufener placed 474th overall, after competing against 7,502 other runners. Out of the women’s section, Rufener placed in the top-100, taking 56th place out of 3,273 other female runners.

During her two years, 2016-2017, at Western, Rufener broke five school records, was a two-time All-American — hypothetical sports teams made of the top eight finishers in each event — an All-Region qualifier in cross country and earned many other accolades during her time as a Wolf. 

Rufener’s top indoor 5k marked at a 17:24 and her best mile finishing with a 4:57. 

Right around the corner, Rufener is given the chance to compete in the 2020 Olympic Trials on Feb. 29 to try and take her place on the USA Team to compete in Tokyo, Japan. An opportunity  like that doesn’t happen all the time, and will be a great experience to add to the resume. 

Currently, Rufener is helping coach for the Western Washington track and field and cross country programs, while also training herself for the big day.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Overthrown in Alaska

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

During the week before finals, Dec. 5 and 7, Western’s Women’s Basketball team had a long journey up to face two Alaska teams, their first games to start the GNAC conference.

The first game the Wolves were tested, as they played the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Nanooks. The Wolves held control for most of the game, maintaining the first three quarters — but fell during the final quarter to give way to a 14-point streak from the Nanooks, to tie up the game, and go into overtime. 

Overtime proved to be in favor of the Nanooks, who took the lead and countered on every mistake made by the Wolves. The first conference game came to an end, and the Nanooks took home the dub with 81 points over the Wolves’ 76.

The Wolves put up a tough fight, but allowed for a lot of mess ups that the Nanooks were able to put towards their winning.

Night two, the Wolves played against the #13 Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, for their second GNAC conference game. The final results proved to be an absolute blowout, with the Seawolves winning 73-41. An unlucky night for the Wolves, losing to their sisters of the sea.

Overall, it was a great weekend for the Wolves, with many learning opportunities and a place they can only go up from. Two standout players in both matches included, Keyonna Jones, a junior guard, and Rachel Rogers, a sophomore guard, both scoring multiple points to help out their fellow Wolves.

The Women’s Basketball team overcame and beat Corban University, a non-conference game, to bring some confidence back into the players — and will travel and face Boise State University Broncos in an exhibition game on Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. The next home game is Jan. 2 versus GNAC opponent, Western Washington University Vikings at 5:15 p.m.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Turkeys weren’t the only ones taking L’s this weekend, as Women’s Basketball held two home games

 

Hannah Greene  |  Sports Editor

Western Women’s Basketball hosted two teams during Thanksgiving weekend, only to fall to both, Texas A&M International and South Minnesota State University.

Both teams challenged the Wolves, making for an edge-of-the-seat game each day.

Full bellies and families sent the Wolves ready and amped for their game against the Dust Devils — a non-conference game. Wolves fell behind shortly after the whistle blew to start the matchup, with the Dust Devils scoring consecutive three-pointers.

The Wolves didn’t take kindly to this, coming back with multiple unanswered points from the Dust Devils, to put Western ahead — but not for long.

Throughout the second quarter, the Dust Devils dominated over the Wolves, scoring 17 points in a row with no response from the Wolves, making for a hard lead to catch up to.

Fourth quarter, the Wolves turned it on — catching up and making their score only seven points behind the Dust Devils’ 49 points.

Wolves’ defense put up the blocks and held the team on their backs. Unfortunately, the Wolves’ offense could not find a way to score and break the 50-point mark.

Dust Devils held the rest of the game, scored a few more times and left with a W on their horns, 51-42.

SMSU Mustangs came equipped with their A-game to battle it out against the Wolves.

For the first two quarters, the Wolves and Mustangs were neck and neck, each winning one quarter — with the Wolves taking a three-point lead into the second half.

The Wolves’ defense and offense showed fire and spark coming off the bench into the second half, fit for whatever the Mustangs were about to bring.

Scoring and gameplay seemed to be in favor of the Wolves’ hands during the third quarter, with one point after another — which created for a solid lead. Cali McClave, a first-year guard for the Wolves, hit a wide open three pointer to take the Wolves’ lead even higher by 10 points.

The Mustangs began to catch up until McClave drained another three-pointer with only 30 seconds left on the clock. Western lead 50-47, coming into the final quarter of the match.

Fourth quarter showed for a loud battle, multiple fouls and a final score leaving the Wolves empty handed. Mustangs took the win, 70-62, with an eight-point lead.

Though the Wolves attack game was fierce, it was not dicey enough to beat the Mustangs’ defense — a tough final pre-conference game to send the Wolves into GNAC, ravenous.

Dec. 5 marks the start of the Wolves GNAC conference games, where the Wolves will travel to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to matchup against the Nanooks.

The Wolves face Corban University for their next home game, a non-conference game, on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Photos by Hannah Greene

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   X  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
News
Explore WOU
Partnerships
Student Services
Freedom of Expression

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.