FAIRBANKS, Alaska – On day one of the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational, the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team grabbed their first home-win of the 2019-20 season. The 'Nooks were able to defeat the Eagles of Chadron State 87-73. With this win, Alaska was able to match their win-total from last season of four, through only seven games this season.
Jocelyn Gandara led things off for the 'Nooks grabbing the first points of the game. A three-pointer and jumper from
Sam Tolliver helped extend the Alaska lead to 9-2 early into the first quarter. After a few back-and-forth possessions, the Nanooks grabbed a 10 point lead after two
Kylie Wallace free-throws. The Eagles made a push to end the quarter after Alaska found themselves up 20-8. CSC made a six point run to get within six before Tolliver ended up scoring the final five points of the quarter, giving the 'Nooks a 25-14 lead after one quarter.
Before halftime, Alaska ran out to their biggest lead of the first half. Gandara made two free throws after a Jori Peters foul put her on the line; after making both, the Nanooks lead was extended to 51-29 and they eventually went into the locker room with a 51-31 lead.
The second half from Chadron State made things interesting after they outscored the 'Nooks in the third quarter, 17-18, and 19-24 in the fourth quarter, pulling within 12 points twice, but not getting back within single-digits.
Sam Tolliver was the hot hand for the Nanooks on the night, putting up 31 points, a career-high for the freshman from Seattle, Wash. Alongside the 31 points, Tolliver grabbed five rebounds and had four assists.
Kylie Wallace and Gandara followed Tolliver in the point's column with 17 each, respectively. Wallace had herself a night on offense and down in the paint as she ended the game with a career-high amount of rebounds with 17. Wallace was everywhere, grabbing 12 defensive rebounds and five on the offensive side. Gandara ended the night shooting 5-13 from the field and 7-13 from the free throw line.
Head coach
Kerri Nakamoto was very proud of her team's effort in all aspects of the game tonight, "I'm really proud of the way we came out tonight. We rebounded well on both ends of the floor and it was nice to play on our home court tonight. We look forward to the rest of the tournament."
Sabrina Ungaro was the only other 'Nooks player to reach double-digits in points, putting up 12 points on 5-11 shooting. Ungaro assisted on six plays and grabbed three rebounds of her own.
The Nanooks are back in action tomorrow, Nov. 29 at 3:00 p.m. when they take on the Converse College Valkyries on the Alaska Airlines Court in the Patty Center. Prior to the Nanooks game against Converse, Lake Erie College and Chadron State will face-off at 1:00 p.m. AKT.
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.
