SAN FRANCISCO – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team earned their first victory of the 2018-19 campaign on Saturday afternoon, edging the San Francisco State Gators 68-65 in their season-opener at The Swamp at the Don Nasser Plaza in San Francisco. The Gators start the season 0-1, while Alaska improves to 1-0 overall, marking first-year head coach
Kerri Nakamoto's first win with the Blue and Gold.
"I'm really proud of our team today," Nakamoto said on Saturday. "San Francisco State went on some runs and we were able to keep our composure and make some big plays down the stretch. We stayed together and fought hard. We just need to keep growing and building together."
The Nanooks shot 37.9 percent from the field (25-for-66), 39.1 percent from beyond the arc (9-for-23) and 56.3 percent from the free throw line (9-for-16). Alaska's hot shooting from three-point range proved to be the difference-maker in Saturday's nonconference contest, as SFSU shot 42.6 percent from the floor (26-for-61), 26.7 percent from behind the three-point line (4-for-15) and 69.2 percent from the free throw line (9-for-13).
Alaska also picked up 16 offensive and 25 defensive boards for a total of 41 rebounds, 17 assists and six steals.
Three Alaska players registered double-digit points on Saturday, led by junior guard
Sabrina Ungaro with 19. Ungaro shot 6-for-11 from the floor, with all of her six buckets coming from beyond the arc, and 1-for-2 from the free throw line. The Anchorage native also picked up five rebounds and a game-high eight assists with two steals 38 minutes on the floor.
Senior forward
Marian Wamsley shot 7-for-11 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free throw line for 18 points, while also chipping in six offensive and one defensive boards for seven rebounds.
Junior guard
Kylie Wallace collected 15 points against the Gators, shooting 6-for-12 from the floor and 3-for-8 from the free throw line. Wallace also tallied three offensive and five defensive rebounds for a game-high of eight total.
San Francisco State was led by Jhaina Stephens, who posted 14 points against the Nanooks.
The Alaska Nanooks take the court again tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 11), as they take on the Holy Names Eagles in their final game of the Gator Invite at The Swamp. Tip-off is scheduled for 12pm AKST.
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.
