Box Score LACEY, Wash. – Alaska extended its winning streak to five games, its longest winning streak since joining the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, with a thrilling 85-77 overtime triumph over Saint Martin's on Thursday evening.
Alaska (11-4, 3-2 GNAC) has now won three straight conference games after holding off a late charge by the Saints (4-8, 1-3 GNAC). Jordan Wilson led all scorers with 24 points, including 12 points in the second half and overtime. The sophomore post player shot 10-16 from the field and also had a joint team-high seven rebounds.
"Jordan was incredibly tough tonight, and kept finding ways to score," said head coach Cody Bench. "She keeps hitting big shots for us and has a lot of coverage around the court."
Arinesha Smith had 17 points for the Nanooks, while Benissa Bulaya had 11 and dished out a game-high eight assists.
Saint Martin's came out of the gate firing, taking an early seven point lead just four minutes into the game. But Alaska would battle back, taking its first lead at the 11:24 mark when Kaillee Skjold nailed a 3-pointer. After the lead see-sawed back and forth a few times, the Nanooks would take hold of the half and held a five point lead heading into the second period.
Alaska would extend its lead to as many as 11 points; following baskets by Wilson and Bulaya, but then the Saints would start to get back into the game. At the five minute mark, they took their first lead since the first half, and the game went back and forth again. Alaska had the lead late, but a 3-pointer by Jordyn Richardson at the buzzer forced bonus basketball.
The Nanooks dominated the overtime period, however, as they went on a 10-2 run to open up the frame, and made clutch free-throws late to seal the victory.
"This was a very exciting win for the program," continued Bench. "We had all the momentum taken away when they hit that 3-pointer heading into overtime. But we played great, we never quit and we worked hard despite the adversity. This is a great win for us."
Alaska shot an impressive 56.3% (9-16) from beyond the arc, as Brianna Kirk led the way with three treys. Kirk also joined Wilson with a team-leading seven boards. Skjold (2-2) and Victoria Elleby (1-1) each had perfect days from beyond the arc.
Defense was again a key for the Nanooks, as they forced 17 turnovers and had seven steals resulting in 19 points, including ten fast break points compared to only two for the Saints.
Alaska will now look to expand its winning streak as it travels to Western Oregon for a Saturday night contest beginning at 4:15 p.m.
