Wolves Finish Non-Conference Slate, Rest, Await GNAC Play

Western Oregon is 1-10 on the year.

Photo: Western Oregon Atheltics

MONMOUTH - Western Oregon dropped a pair of games at the GNAC-CCAA Challenge last week in Chico, Calif.

The pre-set, four-team format featured WOU and Saint Martin’s of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference against Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Wolves fell to the Warriors (82-70) and to the host Wildcats (100-49).

Home For The Holidays:

With the 11-game non-conference schedule now behind them, the Wolves will take a two-week break from games before tackling their 18-game GNAC schedule.

Next on the docket is the team’s conference opener on Thursday, Jan. 4th at Seattle University (7:00 PM).

The Wolves will then host Seattle Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 6th (7:00 PM).

Slow Start:

Western Oregon fell behind early in both games at the GNAC-CCAA Challenge, and couldn’t recover in falling to 1-10 on the season.

Cal State Stanislaus outscored the Wolves 50-35 in the first half in the Warriors’ 82-70 win, while No. 9 nationally ranked Chico State led 30-11 after nine minutes of action in the Wildcats’ 100-49 victory.

Leada Leads Again:

Junior forward Leada Berkey (Amity) scored 30 points in the loss to Cal State Stanislaus, marking the third time this season that she has hit for 30 or more.

She also had 11 rebounds in the game, claiming her seventh double-double of the season.

The 5-8 slasher was named to the all-tournament team.

Berkey’s The Best:

WOU stat leader Leada Berkey not only paces her team in nearly all stat categories, she also sits atop the GNAC leader board.

Berkey leads the conference in scoring at 20.6 points per game and is also the league’s leading rebounder at 10.3.

In addition, she is fifth in the GNAC in assists per game at 3.7.

Fire It Up:

Western Oregon ranks second in the GNAC in three-pointers made per game with 7.0.

Seymour Sits:

WOU’s second leading scorer Kori Seymour has missed the Wolves past four games with a leg injury.

Her status will be re-evaluated next week prior to WOU’s road trip to Seattle University.

A sophomore from Grants Pass, Seymour is averaging 9.7 points per game and had 23 in a loss earlier this season against Metro State.

Looking Ahead:

Western Oregon will face two of the GNAC’s best teams when they open conference play next month at Seattle (Jan. 4th) and versus Seattle Pacific (Jan. 6th).

Seattle, picked to finish fourth in the GNAC, is off to a sizzling 8-1 start.

Their only loss thus far was a 52-49 setback against Cal State LA.

The Redhawks have tremendous balance, with only one person averaging in double figures, but with seven players averaging six points or better per outing.

5-11 junior Laina Sobczak leads the team with 11.9 points per game and adds 6.0 rebounds.

Seattle won both games between the two schools last season, but WOU leads the all-time series, 17-14.

Seattle Pacific, the ’06 GNAC runner-ups, are 6-3 thus far in 2006-07.

They picked up a pair of wins last week at the Great Western Shootout at Las Vegas, topping Cal Poly Pomona (64-47) and UC San Diego (70-60).

Two of their losses have come to high-powered opponents—Division I Gonzaga (74-58) and No. 9 nationally ranked Chico State (61-56).

If Seattle is balanced, Seattle Pacific is almost non-descript, with no player averaging in double figures, but six SPU shooters are posting six points a game or better.

6-2 sophomore Kelsey Hill leads the way with 9.6 points and 6.9 rebounds an outing.

Seattle Pacific has won the last 18 games played between the two schools, and leads the all-time series, 19-4.

WOU Probable Starters:

F—20 Leady Berkey (5-8, Jr.), Amity, Ore.

F—12 Kori Seymour (5-7, So.), Grants Pass, Ore.

C—24 Jodee Wilson (5-11, Jr.), Lebanon, Ore.

G—25 Libby Stephens (5-8, Jr.), Portland, Ore.

G—31 Claire Carpenter (5-3, Jr.), Gresham, Ore.

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