FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Senior guard Kaillee Skjold registered a season-best 24-point performance in the final day of the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational, but it wasn't enough for the Nanooks to overcome the Metro State University of Denver Roadrunners as the Nooks fell 70-57 at the Alaska Airlines Court on Saturday afternoon. Alaska now sits with an overall record of 4-3, while the Roadrunners improve to 4-3 on the season.
Skjold shot 9-of-21 from the floor, 2-of-2 from behind the arc and 4-of-7 from behind the free throw line to post her best scoring game of the season, while also chipping in a team-high eight rebounds, two assists and one steal on the day.
Fellow-senior forward Jordan Wilson followed-up Skjold's lead with 14 points herself, being the only other Nook to tally double-digit figures. Wilson went 4-of-9 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line, while also collecting two defensive rebounds. Both Wilson and Skjold were named to the North Star Invitational All-Tournament Team for their weekend performances.
Alaska shot 32.7 percent from the floor throughout the nonconference match, with their best shooting came in the second and third quarter, as they posted a 46.2 percentage in both. The Nooks were 5-of-15 in three-point attempts for 33.3 percent, while going 84.2 percent (16-of-19) from the free throw line.
The Nooks were out-rebounded by the Roadrunners 40-30, but still managed to recover an impressive 11 offensive rebounds on the day. The Nooks also tallied seven assists, four steals and one block against the Roadrunners.
Metro State was led by All-Tournament Team selection Jaelynn Smith, who totaled 22 points against the Nooks, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor, 2-of-3 in three-point attempts and 6-of-6 in free throw attempts. Smith led all players with seven assists, while Luisa Tago led the game in rebounds with nine.
Tournament Notes
The Newman University Jets were declared the 2016 Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational Champions after defeating Stan State earlier in the day. Newman was the only team in the tournament to post a 3-0 record, as the other three participating teams all posted a 1-2 record.
The Metro State Roadrunners were awarded second place, after a three-way tie was decided by total point differential throughout the tournament.
The All-Tournament Team consisted of:
Ana Burch – Stan State
Jaelynn Smith – Metro State
Jordan Wilson – Alaska
Kaillee Skjold – Alaska
Hannah Alexander – Newman
While Newman's Bria DeGrate was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.
The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team returns to competition this weekend, opening Great Northwest Athletic Conference play against Western Washington on Thursday, Dec. 1 and Simon Fraser on Saturday, Dec. 3. Both games are scheduled for a 7pm AKST tip-off and will be played 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.
