ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team opened the Jessie Craig era with an opening-day victory over the University of Texas at Permian Basin in Anchorage. The Nanooks escaped with a 71-69 victory to go 1-0, 0-0 on day one of the 2021-22 season. 

Pearle Green and Destiny Reimers led Alaska with 18 points each while Emma Wass added 12. All three Nanooks shined in their blue and gold debuts. Out of the gates, Alaska proved their ability to score, shooting 52.94% from the floor in the first quarter and 53.85% in the second quarter for a halftime lead of 43-36. UTPB turned the burners on out of halftime, however, outscoring the Nanooks 10-28 in the third. 

Alaska was able to regroup after a harsh third. To start the fourth, Pearle Green hit a three, pulling Alaska within eight. Immediately after, Destiny Reimers was hit on the outlet for a fastbreak layup, making it a six point game. Reimers struck again on a jumper to make it 60-64 Falcons. This was only the beginning of the end for UTPB as Ellen Silva made it a two point game and Green connected on a three-pointer, giving Alaska a one-point lead, late. Permian Basin grabbed the lead back with 2:05 left on the clock, 68-69, but that was it for Texas Permian Basin. A Reimers jumper made it 70-69 and a free throw with nine seconds remaining from Claudia Diez Marti put the game away.

Outside of Green, Reimers and Wass in double-digits, Paola Perez-Mendoza scored six points alongside Ellen Silva. Olivia Kraska added five and Diez Marti posted four. Destiny Reimers posted a double-double in her career-debut with 10 rebounds. She also added six assists and two blocks. Olivia Kraska added five rebounds and one block and Ellen Silva led the way with three blocks. 

The Nanooks are back in action tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. when they take on the Hillsdale Chargers.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team, follow @NanooksWBB on Twitter, @NanookWBB on Instagram or like the Alaska Nanooks Women's Basketball team page on Facebook.