Saturday was senior night at the Patty center and 661 fans came out to see Celcilia Chan's last home game as a Nanook.  Chan had an excellent career, scoring 539 points in 88 games, but judging from the actions of her teammates, her most important contribution goes far beyond statistics.  Attempting to send Chan off with a victory, the team played one of their best games of the season against an impressive team from Western Washington that beat the Nanooks by 24 points earlier this season.

Though outsized at every position by the Vikings, the Nanooks took an early lead on the beautiful three-point shooting of All-American guard Adrienne Taalak.  Taalak's 70 three-pointers so far this season  have already set a school record for total number of three-pointers in a season. Wild shots and poor passing by the ‘Nooks allowed the Vikings to take the lead with six minutes left to play in the first half. The lead then changed hands many times before settling on a 32-32 tie at the half.

The Nanooks rallied in the second half with the kind of inspired play it require to produce winning seasons.  Center Karen Rabung came back after injury to hit four crucial free throws after missing three in the first half. Taalak continued her superb shooting and guard Valerie Hartman provided sound defense. But the lead continued to go back and forth until the Nanooks found themselves with a slight lead and only two seconds left on the clock. With the game on the line, the crowd on their feet and the ball in the hands of the star, the senior sunk two consecutive free throws to put the game away.  Chan finished the night with 10 points and 6 rebounds, giving the Nanooks a hard-won 75-71 victory. The ‘Nooks have three more games left to play this season.

 "The win helped the team's confidence level," said the team-oriented Chan after the game, "Everybody played with extra emotion, everybody stepped up."

Thanks for a great career Cece.

Photo by Stephanie Taylor

Senior Cecilia Chan goes up for a layup against Western Washington. The Nanooks defeated the Vikings 75-71 at the Patty Center. 

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