Nov. 25, 2006
Box Score
Fairbanks, AK - The Alaska Nanooks doubled up Chaminade in the first half to help secure an 83-59 win in game two of the 2006 Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational Friday at the Patty Center. The victory moves the Nanooks (3-1) into tomorrow's title game against Henderson State, who beat Cal Poly Pomona to advance. The Silverswords (0-2) will face the Broncos in the early game.
The Nanooks had three players in double figures led by sophomore guard Sheena Brown (Fairbanks, AK) with game-highs of 15 points and nine rebounds. Alask spread the minutes around and 11 of 12 players made it into the scoring column. Junior guard Trista Robinson (Fairbanks, AK) had 13 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore guard Cristina Bruketta (Ellensburg, WA) chipped in 12 points and seven boards of her own.
Chaminade junior Britnee Fonnesbeck, who scored 36 points in the Silverswords' first game ever against Central on Tuesday night, was limited to 14 points due to foul trouble. Junior Simrin Cummins and freshman Samantha Saito tossed in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Junior Kari Reabold (Fairbanks, AK) was held to nine points, marking the first time this season the Nanook guard has not hit double digits. Reabold did tie Brown for the game-high of nine rebounds to help Alaska to a 55-35 advantage on the glass. The difference was particularly clear on the offensive end, where the Nanooks snared 23 offensive rebounds to the Silverswords' eight.
Alaska never trailed after taking a 14-13 lead with 11:01 to go in the first half. The Nanooks steadily built the lead until Robinson's free throws with 1 second left in the half made it 42-21 going into intermission. Bruketta scored 10 of her 12 in the first frame.
The Silverswords fought hard despite falling behind by as many 30 points midway through the second half. Chaminade used a 15-5 run to cut the lead to 67-47 with 8:01 left but couldn't pull any closer in the loss.
Alaska will play Henderson State, the No. 7 Division II team in the nation, in the NSI title game tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. AST in the Patty Center. Chaminade will square off with Cal Poly Pomona in the third place game at 3:00 p.m. AST.
