BILLINGS, Mont. – The Alaska Nanooks womens basketball team played in their fourth road game in a row on Saturday, Feb. 15 against 12-12, 7-8 GNAC Montana State Billings. Unfortunately, Alaska struggled in another tough game and lost 59-103 and are now 7-17, 2-13 GNAC.
The Nanooks got off to another slow start and fell behind 2-16 about halfway through the first quarter. They were able to pull within 9 on a 5-0 run but could not seem to get into a rhythm and finished the quarter down 12-27.
Jocelyn Gandara led the team in points with five and added two rebounds.
The second quarter was quite similar to the first with the Yellowjackets scoring first with a three pointer and slowly increasing their lead. Alaska continued to struggle with shooting and finding a rhythm and gave up 24 more points to MSUB and were only able to score 15, entering the locker room at halftime down 27-51.
Jocelyn Gandara added six more points to her total and had some support from
Sabrina Ungaro who scored five.
Sam Tolliver opened up the second half with a three pointer, attempting to spark the Nanooks' offense, but the Yellowjackets hit a three of their own and continued to play well. The 'Nooks scored 15 more points int the third quarter and allowed another 25 to their opponent to start the final quarter down 42-76.
Jocelyn Gandara led Alaska in scoring in the third with seven points and
Sam Tolliver added five of her own.
The Nanooks first points of the fourth quarter came off a
Brittany Richards put-back layup making it 44-79 but, yet again, Alaska struggled to get any momentum and continued to struggle. UAF allowed MSUB to keep a steady lead throughout the fourth quarter scoring 17 points and allowing another 27, and the game ended in a loss for the 'Nooks 59-103.
Sam Tolliver scored 5 more points in her fourth quarter contribution.
Jocelyn Gandara finished the game with a team high 17 points and six rebounds with two assists and a steal.
Sam Tolliver added 15 points with four rebounds, a block and a team high three steals. The Nanooks shot a total of 19-61 from the field, 5-20 from three, and 16-29 from the free throw line.
The 'Nooks next game brings them back home after a four-game road trip to face 16-7, 10-5 GNAC Western Washington on Thursday Feb. 20 at 5:15 pm at the Patty Center. Saturday Feb. 22 Alaska will take on the Clan of Simon Fraser at 2 pm for their final home game of the season.
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.
