FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team fell to the #14-ranked Tampa Spartans on day one of the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational. With the loss, the Nanooks move to 1-2, 0-0 GNAC on the season.

The Nanooks led through one, posting a 22-21 lead through the opening 10 minutes. Tampa outshot them, 53.3% to 50%, but Alaska knocked-down two more field goals, giving them the early lead. Tampa responded with a 17-12 second quarter, outscoring the Nanooks by five, taking a four-point lead into the locker room. At the break, Destiny Reimers led the Nanooks with 10 points and five rebounds. Entering the second half down 38-34, the Nanooks looked to continue hanging with the #14-ranked team in the nation.

Unfortunately, the third quarter was a big-run for the Spartans. They stretched their lead to 18 midway through the quarter, giving them their biggest lead at the time. Following the third, the Nanooks trailed by 15. The Spartans' lead grew to 19 to start the fourth, but the Nanooks responded with the biggest scoring-quarter of the game. They outscored Tampa 24-17 but it was too late for Alaska. Pearle Green posted seven fourth-quarter points and Caitlin Pusich and Reimers added six each.

Late in the fourth, the Nanooks pulled within seven, but that was as close as they'd get. Tampa would add a free throw with five seconds remaining in the game, making it a 77-69 win for the visiting Spartans.

Reimers led the way for the Nanooks, finishing with 21 points, five steals and eight rebounds. Green added 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. Paola Perez-Mendoza added five steals.

The Nanooks are back in action at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26 as they take on the Northwood Timberwolves.

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.