FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team lost to the Concordia University Cavaliers, 67-70. This loss brings the team to 6-5 and gives them their first conference loss of the season to put them at 1-1 in the GNAC.
The Nanooks hit the ground running in the first quarter with three unanswered points from
Jocelyn Gandara to start the game. A three-pointer from Gandara at the 3:33 mark would give the 'Nooks a seven-point lead, 18-11, their largest lead of the half. The Cavaliers responded with some points late in the quarter and Alaska would hold a 22-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. The team struggled offensively in the second quarter, shooting a combined 20% from the field and scoring only five points over the entire quarter. At the end of the first half, Concordia held a 35-27 lead.
Jocelyn Gandara lead the way for Alaska in scoring and rebounding with 17 points and five rebounds at the half.
Zosha Krupa made her presence felt defensively with two steals in the half.
Coming out of the break, the Nanooks gained some traction offensively but allowed the Cavaliers to shoot 50% from the field. This prevented the team from making much of a dent in the deficit and Alaska trailed 43-52 at the of the third quarter.
Caitlin Pusich hit a jumper to get the team going in the fourth quarter. Shortly after, at the 7:23 mark, the 'Nooks went on a 12-4 run to make it a two-point deficit with 4:48 left in the game. From there Concordia would break away but
Jocelyn Gandara responded with seven consecutive points, capped off by a three-pointer with 6 seconds left to make it a one possession game. The Cavaliers made one-of-two free-throws to keep it a one possession game. Alaska would have one final chance to tie the game but a half-court heave from
Sabrina Ungaro missed the mark and the team fell to Concordia, 67-70.
Jocelyn Gandara finished the game with 34 points and eight rebounds.
Brittany Richards and
Kylie Wallace led the team in assists with three each.
The team will rest up over winter break and be back in action in the new decade heading to Lacey, Washington on January 2 to face St. Martin's University at 4:15 P.M. 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.
