FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team fell in the championship game of the 2019 Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational. After taking games one and two with the help from good defense, the 'Nooks defense could not keep up with the Lake Erie Storm.
Alaska and Lake Erie were neck-and-neck through the first half as the Storm led by one after the first quarter and kept the one-point lead into halftime. The Nanooks jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a
Brittany Richards three-pointer,
Kylie Wallace layup and a pair of free throws from
Sam Tolliver. Unfortunately for the 'Nooks, they were unable to extend the lead further than that as the Storm found their offensive stride.
After falling behind, Lake Erie responded with a 2-7 run of their own, eventually taking the lead 12-11 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter played out similar to the first, however, the Nanooks ended on the run this time. The Storm jumped out to a six-point lead at 14-20 before Alaska turned things around, going on a 6-0 run of their own. After Alaska grabbed the lead back at 30-29, the Storm ended the half with a bucket from Ashley West, giving the visiting team the one point advantage at the half.
Alaska came out of the locker room looking to build off of their 2-0 start in the tournament and claim the championship in their own tournament. Unfortunately, Lake Erie had plans to spoil the host-team's party.
Jocelyn Gandara and
Sam Tolliver gave it their all, grabbing the first six 'Nooks points in the second half. After getting ahead with a five-point lead after a
Sabrina Ungaro three-pointer, Josie Chaddock of Lake Erie began to take over. After only eight first-half points, Chaddock blew up for 24 second-half points, ending the game with a game-high 32 points.
The third quarter was a high-scoring affair with LEC outscoring Alaska 20-30, grabbing an 11-point lead heading to the fourth quarter. The pressure was on the 'Nooks to make a late push, however that push never came. Alaska only managed to get within six points in the fourth quarter, coming with 26 seconds left on the clock.
Lake Erie claimed the NSI Title over Alaska in the two teams first ever matchup.
Gandara led the way for the 'Nooks in the title game with 25 points, shooting 6-19 from the field and going 11-14 from the free-throw line. Freshman,
Sam Tolliver had another solid scoring night, putting up 14 points on 5-16 shooting.
Kylie Wallace was the only other Nanook to put up double-digit points, claiming 11 and adding nine rebounds.
The Nanooks remain at home, opening up their GNAC schedule on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5:15 p.m. AKT against the Western Oregon Wolves.
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.
