BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team fell to the #8-nationally ranked Western Washington Vikings on Saturday, Dec. 31 in Carver Gymnasium. With the loss, the Nanooks drop to 3-8, 0-4 GNAC and will return home next weekend when they host Alaska Anchorage. 
 
In the first, the Vikings shot 72.2%, running out to an early 35-18 lead. Alaska closed the gap in the scoring, being outscored only 24-17. Out of the halftime break, WWU posted a 23-7 third quarter before grabbing the win over Alaska 101-57. In the first, the Nanooks hung close for the opening minutes. After WWU grabbed an early 6-2 lead, Emma McKenney connected from deep pulling the 'Nooks within one. She followed up with another, keeping the Nanooks within one at 9-8 with 7:08 remaining. The Vikings quickly found their stride, jumping ahead 19-8 after McKenney's second three. They eventually got up by 17 with 1:22 remaining before grabbing the 35-18 lead after one. The WWU lead grew to 20 in the first minute but Sam Tolliver answered with a three-pointer to make it 17. Unfortunately, the Vikings lead grew to 32 before taking a 24-point lead into the halftime break. 
 
Western outscored the 'Nooks by 16, extending their lead to 40 going into the fourth quarter. Caitlin Pusich opened the Alaska scoring in the fourth quarter with a jumper, making it a 41-point deficit. Taylor Tiulana later connected from deep and Ellen Silva hit a pair of free throws to end the Nanooks' scoring. 
 
Emma McKenney led the way for the Nanooks with 17 points on 4-8 shooting and 3-5 shooting from deep. She hit 6-8 from the free-throw line and dished out three assists. Sam Tolliver ended the day with 11 points on 3-7 shooting from deep. 
 
The Nanooks return to action at home next weekend against Alaska Anchorage. 
 
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team, follow @NsnooksWBB on Instagram or Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Women's Basketball team page on Facebook.