Box Score FAIRBANKS – Alaska trailed by just one point at half time, but could not overcome a 30 point night for Simon Fraser's Erin Chambers, as the Nanooks fell to the Clan 78-70 on Thursday night at the Patty Center.
Benissa Bulaya scored 23 points to lead the Nanooks, who continue Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with a game against Western Washington on Saturday. Alaska falls to 12-6 on the season and 4-3 in the league, while the Clan, who now travel to Anchorage, improve to 10-6 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
"We played a great team tonight," said head coach Cody Bench following the loss. "We fought hard and were in the game up until the very end."
Continued Bench, "We shot the ball well and played good defense, but we did not get to the line enough. I wish we could have impacted the game a little more."
The Nanooks shot just eight free-throws as a team, making five, while Simon Fraser went 20-29 from the line, including a 9-11 night from Chambers.
Alaska's main inside threats came from Stephanie Toumson and Kaillee Skjold who scored 12 and 14 points, respectively, though Skjold was limited to a lot of outside shooting. Bulaya, meanwhile, continued to attack the rim, as all ten of her field goals came from within the three-point arc, and she grabbed nine rebounds.
"I knew that I would have to be a leader on the court and step up my game since we were missing a few players," Bulaya commented. "I'm hoping to continue this play in the next game."
Bulaya led the team in almost every major category as she had 23 point, 10 field goals made, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. She also made three of Alaska's five made free-throws.
The Nanooks' struggles from the outside continued, however, as they shot just 18.8% (3-16) from beyond the arc. Cassi Williams made two of Alaska's 3-pointers while Brianna Kirk contributed one as well.
Alaska will now look to bounce back quickly, as it hosts Western Washington on Saturday, at 5:15 p.m. at the Patty Center. The Vikings are coming off a 71-58 loss to nationally ranked Alaska Anchorage earlier this evening.
