FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team opens up Great Northwest Athletic Conference play this week, as they host the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on Thursday, Nov. 30 before taking on the Central Washington Wildcats on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Alaska Airlines Court in Fairbanks. Thursday's matchup is slated for 7pm AKST while Saturday's game is scheduled for 5:15pm AKST.
WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
If fans aren't able to make this week's games in Fairbanks, both Thursday and Saturday's games, along with every home and conference game for the remainder of the season, will be broadcasted live through the Alaska Nanooks Stretch Internet Portal (link posted above).
LAST TIME OUT
The Alaska Nanooks return to competition after almost two weeks off, last competing in the Seawolf Hoops Classic Nov. 17-18 in Anchorage. The Nanooks fell to Western State Colorado University 41-49 on Friday before downing Holy Names 73-29 on Saturday.
BLACKBURN NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Junior forward Ashlie Blackburn's efforts helped the Nanooks tremendously throughout the Seawolf Hoops Classic Nov. 17-18, as the Douglas, Wyoming native shot 4-for-12 from the field and went 3-for-4 from the free throw line to combine for 11 points in the two nonconference matchups in Anchorage. Blackburn also tallied 18 rebounds and four blocks which was more than enough to name her to the All-Tournament Team on Saturday.
RANKED NOOKS
Six Alaska Nanooks rank within the top-10 individually in the GNAC in eight different statistical categories:
- Scoring
- Rebounding
- Ashlie Blackburn (T-2nd): 9 rebounds per game (36 total)
- Field Goal Percentage
- Steals
- Angela Murnion (4th): 2.3 per game (9 total)
- Lexi Carpenter (T-6th): 2.0 (8 total)
- Three-Point Field Goals-Made
- Blocks
- Ashlie Blackburn (4th): 1.3 per game (5 total)
- Marian Wamsley (T-6th): 1.0 per game (4 total)
- Josie Sewell (T-6th): 1.0 per game (4 total)
- Offensive Rebounds
- Defensive Rebounds
- Ashlie Blackburn (T-3rd): 7.0 per game (28 total)
TEAM COME-UP
As a team, the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team ranks first in the 11-team league in four different statistical categories including scoring defense (47.5), field goal percentage defense (.310), three-point field goal percentage defense (.225) and offensive rebounds (16 per game).
ALL-TIME SERIES
All-time against the Nighthawks, Alaska is 6-28 with their first meeting coming as a 81-95 loss on the road on Jan. 20, 2001. The Nanooks are currently on a five-game losing streak to the Nighthawks, dating back to Jan. 29, 2015 with their last win coming as a 82-76 win on Jan. 3, 2015 at home.
Against the Wildcats, Alaska is 13-36 all-time against Central Washington with their first meeting coming as a 58-78 loss on Feb. 15, 1977 on the road. The Nanooks split with the Wildcats last season, defeating them 69-56 at home on Jan. 14 before dropping a road contest 66-69 on Feb. 9.
GNAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
The GNAC Preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Poll was released earlier this month, ranking the Nanooks 10th at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. The GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll was voted on by all women's basketball head coaches within the league with the Nooks garnering 21 points. The Nanooks finished the 2016-17 season ranking seventh in the conference standings with an overall record of 13-14, while going 9-11 in conference play.
Alaska's weekend opponents Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene tied for third place in the GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 85 points each.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – NORTHWEST NAZARENE (4-1, 0-0 GNAC)
The Nighthawks are off to a hot start to the 2017-18 season, kicking-off the year with a three-game winning streak before eventually being handed their first loss of the season on Nov. 16 vs. Biola. Alaska rebounded with a 89-82 victory over Point Loma on Nov. 22, led by Lexi Tubbs, who registered a team-best 19-point game. The Nighthawks currently rank first in the GNAC in field goal percentage, connecting on 153-of-336 for a .455 average. Individually, McKenna Walker leads NNU's offensive efforts, averaging 13.4 points per game.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – CENTRAL WASHINGTON (3-3, 0-0 GNAC)
The Wildcats enter the week on a two-game winning streak, defeating Eastern Oregon (84-70) and Pacific Lutheran (84-70) in nonconference action last week. The Wildcats are led offensively by Sadie Mensing, who averages 13.3 points per game. Around the basket, Kaelie Flores leads the teams with 8.0 boards per game.
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.
