FAIRBANKS, AK - The University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks held off a late charge by a team of UAF alumni to take a 73-64 exhibition victory in women's basketball action Monday night in the Patty Center.
The Nanooks had built a sizeable lead over the alumni, holding a 60-46 advantage with 9:56 remaining in the game. However, the former Nanook standouts made a late charge, cutting the UAF lead to 60-50 on a basket by Denise Perez at the 6:30 mark and when Perez made a layup with 20 ticks left on the clock, the alumni had pulled within five at 69-64. But the Nanooks held on, played tough defense and hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
Cecilia Chan led the Nanooks with 16 points in the winning effort, connecting on six of 13 shots from the field. Valerie Hartman added 14 points and pulled down five rebounds. Cody Burgess chipped in with 12 points and five boards.
The Nanooks shot 41 percent from the field, hitting 25 of 61 attempts. UAF connected on 10 of 24 shots from long range for 41 percent and 13 of 17 free throws for 76 percent. The Nanooks had 35 rebounds, 14 assists, 13 turnovers and seven steals.
Heidi Arts and Perez made a big impression on their return to the Patty Center. The former UAF greats led the alumni team in scoring. Arts tallied 18 points, while Perez chipped in with 16 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
As a team, the alumni hit 24 of 56 shots from the field for 42 percent and 16 of 21 free throws for 76 percent. The former UAF greats had 38 rebounds, nine assists, 20 turnovers, two blocked shots and six steals.
The game started out Monday night as a battle with neither team taking the advantage. UAF led 6-2 on a bucket by Hartman and when Chan made a layup with 13:45 on the clock, the Nanooks were up 12-8. The UAF margin continued to widen and the Nanooks led by 10 at 27-17 when Adrienne Taalak nailed a jumper with 4:56 remaining in the first period.
The Nanooks open the 2003-04 season for real this weekend when they host a two-game series with Christian Heritage on Friday and Saturday, November 14-15. Both games are set to begin at 7 p.m.
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