Feb. 13, 2009
Box Score
Fairbanks, AK - Sheena Brown re-wrote the Alaska record books on Thursday night at the Patty Center with 44 points, including a three-pointer from just inside half court as time expired to tie the game at 76. However, Central Washington would outscore the Nanooks 13-9 in overtime and earn an 89-85 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory.
Brown netting 44 is the most points a Nanook player has ever scored in a game, breaking Sue Murphy's record of 39 points that she posted against Northeast Illinois in the 1987-88 season. Brown's output is also the most points scored in a GNAC game this season, and was only one off the overall GNAC record held by Leada Berkey of Western Oregon which she set last year against Central Washington.
The Blue and Gold, suffering from a series of unlucky injuries, entered Thursday's game with just four original basketball players on the roster, whom played all 45 minutes. Head Coach Darryl Smith was able to rotate Jillian Larson, along with three volleyball players, Heather Lyons, Marybeth Wikander, and Korlyn Bolster into the game as well. It was the first game of the season for all four players, as they were added to the roster this week. The four newcomers combined for two points and eight rebounds in 45 minutes.
It was junior Ronisha Edwards that energized her teammates and the fans in the first half. Edwards scored 16 of her 25 points in the first 20 minutes on 7-12 FG. The Blue and Gold trailed 39-38 heading into the locker room.
Brown stole the show in the second half, scoring 27 of the teams 38 points after the break, including all nine of the Blue and Gold's points in overtime.
With Alaska down three with seven seconds to go, they got the ball into Brown's hands at half court with two seconds left. She was able to split a double team, take a dribble and send the Patty Center into a frenzy as ball hit the bottom of the net as the horn sounded.
As the Nanooks started to tire, Stephanie Wenke and Central Washington was able to pull away from the Blue and Gold in the extra session. Wenke had a team high 29-points and led a well balanced inside-outside attack in overtime to will her team to victory.
The Thriller at the Patty featured 12 ties and 19 lead changes. Alaska's 10-point lead with 3:49 to go was the largest for either team, while CWU's largest lead of five points came in the all important extra five minutes. This was Alaska's first overtime game of the season.
The Nanooks (5-15, 0-10 GNAC), will host Western Washington on Saturday in the first game of a Valentines Day and Breast Cancer Awareness double header at the Patty Center. The tip with the Vikings is at 5:15 p.m. followed by the men who get started at 7:30 p.m. against Montana State-Billings.
