Box Score FAIRBANKS – A tough press and clutch shooting down the stretch, earned the Nanooks a 66-63 win over Colorado Christian in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational finale, Saturday evening.
Alaska forced 21 turnovers and had ten steals, including three straight in about a thirty second period which turned the game on its head late in the second half, leading to 25 points.
Jordan Wilson, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, led the Nanooks with 17 points and four steals, while Kaillee Skjold had 15 points and nine rebounds and Kelly Logue contributed 14 points.
Colorado Christian led by as many as 11 early in the second frame, but that was when Alaska began to work its way back into the game. Then, with 11 minutes to play in the game and trailing by one, Benissa Bulaya hit a pair of free throws and the Nanooks then scored off of three straight Cougar turnovers to expand its lead. Several turnovers later and some big baskets by Stephanie Toumson, Autumn Childers and Wilson pushed the Alaska lead to 10.
The Nanooks led by three points late in the game and played excellent defense in denying the Cougars a good look at tying the game, earning the hard fought victory.
Alaska now travels to Seattle to open up Great Northwest Athletic Confernce play against Seattle Pacific on December 4. The Nanooks then take on Montana State Billings on December 6.
