Women's Basketball 10/24/2009 8:58:01 PM

Lancers drop two close battles out west in non-conference action

The Lancer Women's Basketball team dropped a pair of close battles out west this weekend to the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University in their final non-conference pre season action before the beginning of the regular season.

In their tournament opener, Windsor lost a hard fought 65-61 decision to the Victoria Vikes on the road in Victoria.

Victoria's Debbie Yeboah, a second year guard out of Winnipeg, nailed two three-pointers in the final 90 seconds to stave off Windsor's furious comeback. Yeboah had a game-high 21 points in the victory.

The Vikes opened up a 10-point lead early in the second half before the Lancers managed to close the gap before the final quarter.

Lancer standout rookie Jessica Clemencon scored a trio of baskets in a 12-0 Lancer run that tied the game at 59-59 with 2 minutes remaining.

However, the Vikes responded as Yeboah delivered the winning hoop on a three pointer from the corner to seal the win.

For Windsor, Clemencon led the way with 19 points of 5 of 8 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. Shavaun Reaney added 11 points while Miah-Marie Langlois chipped in with 10 points.

Windsor shot 46.3% from the floor and had a 30-22 rebounding advantage.

On Saturday, the Lancers dropped another close battle as they fell 81-78 to Simon Fraser University, the defending CIS National Champions from a year ago.

A pair of late turnovers off inbound passes allowed the Simon Fraser to regain a two-point advantage in the final minute, ultimately defeating the Lancers 81-78 on Saturday afternoon.

In a game that was previewed as a match-up between two top-five CIS teams, the billing did not disappoint, and featured six lead changes, with the last coming in the final minute.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to compete against a team that competed very hard and works very hard, and we struggled at times, and it affected our decision making when we were struggling,” said SFU head coach Bruce Langford after the game.

In the final minute, the Lancers led the Clan 77-75 following a lay-up by Bojana Kovacevic.

After Simon Fraser's Katie Miyazaki missed on a baseline lay-up, and the Clan took a time-out, Miyazaki was able to get the ball right back for SFU, stealing Iva Peklova's inbound pass and feathering a quick pass to Matteke Hutzler, who finished off the play with a lay-up to tie the game at 77-77.

On the very next inbound, the Clan forced Peklova to commit a five-second violation and Kate Hole connected on a lay-up inside to put SFU up 79-77.

After a miss by the Lancers, Miyazaki was fouled and hit both of her free throws.

With 4.8 seconds left, Hutzler fouled Windsor's Miah-Marie Langlois, who hit one of two free throws to bring the Lancers within three 81-78.

The Clan however were able to run out the clock, and hold on for the victory.

The game was tied at the end of both the first (21-21) and third (63-63) quarters, with SFU holding a two-point advantage (41-39) at halftime.

Windsor outrebounded SFU 41-34 on the game, while the Clan picked up 15 steals and forced 25 Lancer turnovers.

Laurelle Weigl led the Clan, shooting 9-for-12 from the floor for 21 points and 5 rebounds. For the Lancers, Jessica Clemencon finished with a team high 19 points, shooting 6-for-8 from the floor.

On Sunday, the two teams faced off again as Windsor was once again defeated by the Simon Fraser Clan, this time falling 69-50 in SFU's West Gym.

It was the Clan's 34th victory in a row, a streak that dates back to the opening weekend of the 2008-09 Canada West season.

After leading 14-12 in the first quarter, the Clan exploded for 25 points in the second frame, with Lisa Tindle hitting three three-pointers during the period.

Matteke Hutzler added two fast break lay-ups in the final two minutes to put SFU up 39-26 at halftime.

After SFU opened a 20-point advantage midway through the third quarter, and led 51-35 after 30 minutes, the Lancers were able to cut the lead to 14 points midway through the fourth on a jumper by Emily Abbott.

But from there the Clan shut the door on the Lancers, closing out the game 69-50.

Laurelle Weigl was the Clan's leading scorer for the second game in a row, shooting 7-for-12 from the field for 17 points, while Tindle and Hutzler each added 12.

For the Lancers, Jessica Clemencon and Miah-Marie Langlois each posted 10 points.

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