FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team officially opened the 2016-17 season on a high note, defeating the Academy of Art Urban Knights 93-69 on Friday night at the Alaska Airlines Court. The Nooks improve to 1-0 overall record after the non-conference bout, while the Urban Knights fall to 0-1.
Friday's matchup part of the West Region Challenge, where the Nanooks and the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves host the Academy of Art (PacWest) and Cal State LA (CCIA), respectively, before flip-flopping opponents on Saturday.
"We had a great turnout tonight from our fans, first and foremost! We had great performances by our seniors, Jordan and Kaillee were top-notch," head coach Cody Bench said following Friday's game. "Autumn and Victoria have us huge contributions with points and assists throughout the game and Jaylee Mays brought great pressure in the second half, along with some great shooting."
Senior Kaillee Skjold led all players with 23 points on the night and also chipped in 11 rebounds to post her second-straight double-double. Skjold went 6-11 from the floor, 1-1 in three-point attempts and 10-12 from the free-throw line to pace the Nanooks' offense. The Kasilof, Alaska native also recorded four assists and two steals in her game-tying high of 33 minutes on the floor.
Fellow senior Jordan Wilson went 8-10 in field goal percentage and 4-4 from the free-throw line to register 20 points for the Nanooks, while also totaling eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 33 minutes.
Seniors Autumn Childers and Jaylee Mays, along with sophomore transfer Sanni Salonen, also scored double-digit figures on Friday night. Childers went 8-10 from the field, 3-4 in 3FG and 4-4 in free-throws to combine for 13 points, while Mays went 6-8 from the field and a perfect 4-4 in three-point attempts to post 16 points.
In her official Nanook debut, Salonen went 4-5 from the field and 2-2 in free-throw attempts to post 10 points, while also collecting seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes on the floor. Also of note, senior Victoria Milton posted a game-high eight assists and eight points.
As a team, the Nooks shot 48.4% (30-62) from the field, shooting 50% (15-30) alone in the second half. Most notably, Alaska shot 83.33% (5-6) in 3FG in the second half and 60% (9-15) throughout the entire game. The Nooks recorded 41 rebounds against the Urban Knights, while also posting 18 assists and eight steals.
"The team held off a comeback and rallied for an amazing finish, while I'm really proud of," Bench concluded.
The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team continues their participation in the West Region Challenge, taking Cal State LA tomorrow, Nov. 12 at 3pm at the Alaska Airlines Court.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team, follow @NanooksWBB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Women's Basketball team page on Facebook.
