Box Score ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Three players scored in double-digits and Benissa Bulaya was named the Player of the Game as the Alaska Nanook women came from behind to earn a dramatic 67-60 win over Pacific in the Seawolf Classic opener Friday evening.
Bulaya scored 16 points, including 12 in the second half, had three rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal to earn Player of the Game honors. Arinesha Smith also had 16 points, while Jordan Wilson put in 12 points.
Stephanie Toumson dominated inside for Alaska as she had nine points, all in the paint, and snagged a game-high 10 rebounds. Kelly Logue was the team's defensive standout, as she had four steals to go with her three rebounds. The Nanooks as a whole had eight points and forced 19 turnovers leading to 20 points.
"We had a solid defensive performance in the second half which lead to steals and easy baskets," said head coach Cody Bench. "Individually, Stephanie had some great rebounds to keep us in the game and Benissa and Arinesha converted tough shots that ultimately gave us the win."
Alaska trailed by five points at the end of the first half, and would trail by as many as nine in the second half before beginning its comeback.
The Nanooks would trail for most of the second half, taking brief leads midway through the period thanks to points by Bulaya and Autumn Childers. In fact, the Alaska would not take its deciding lead until there was just over two minutes to play, as Bulaya would drive the lane and lay a basket home, giving the Nanooks a 59-57 lead.
Tough baskets by Bulaya and Smith, as well as clutch free-throw shooting by the pair and Wilson would seal the Nanooks seventh win of the season.
Alaska takes on Texas A&M-Kingsville in its final game of the Seawolf Classic, tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines Center. The Javelinas lost their opening game against Alaska Anchorage, 90-49.
