FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Junior Kaillee Skjold hit a shot with 0.07 seconds remaining on the clock to send the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team's season opener into overtime, but it would be Stanislaus State capturing the victory in the extra period, as they handed the Nanooks a 102-97 loss on Friday night.
Skjold hit an elbow jumper in the closing seconds to knot the game up at 83-all to send Alaska into its first overtime game since Feb. 23, 2013. The overtime period would not prove favorable for the Nanooks, as the Warriors scored 19 points in the frame to take seal a five-point season-opening victory.
"It was an exciting game, I felt both offenses were hitting on each end of the court, but unfortunately we didn't defend as well as they did, which was the difference," said head coach Cody Bench. "We have to get better defensively. We cannot give up 100 points on our home court and expect to win any night. The energy was there, as well was the hard work and teamwork, which was impressive. We have a team that will never quit and I like that. I hope we can put it together tomorrow."
Junior Jaylee Mays had an impressive debut, as she hit five three-point shots en route to a game-high 26 points. Mays, who was playing her in her first game with the Nanooks also added four assists and collected four steals in the defeat.
Mays was one of three players to score in double digits from Alaska on the night, as junior Jordan Wilson collected her first double-double of the year with 22 points and 10 rebounds. It was the eighth double-double of Wilson's career, and her first since Nov. 14, 2014. Senior Stephanie Toumson was two points off her career-high, as the 6-1 forward collected 18 points in just 20 minutes of play.
Friday's contest featured 12 ties and 12 lead changes, as neither team led by more than eight points on the night.
The Nanooks were able to force 24 turnovers on the night, which led to a 25-13 advantage in points off turnovers. Alaska also held a 20-13 edge in second chance points, as they collected 22 offensive caroms on the night.
Stanislaus shot 58.7 percent from the field, including a blistering 75 percent in overtime to pull away from the Nanooks. The Warriors were led by Taylor Faucett's 22-point performance, as she was one of five players that scored in double-digits on the night.
Alaska will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as they conclude the 2015 GNAC/PacWest Challenge with a 3 p.m. contest against Dixie State at the Alaska Airlines Court. DSU suffered a 122-52 defeat to No. 11 Alaska Anchorage tonight at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team, follow @NanooksWBB on Twitter.
