FAIRBANKS – The Alaska women's basketball team welcomed Saint Martin's University to the Patty Center for their final home game of the season. Alaska started off strong and looked like they were going to be able to control the Saints, but SMU managed to get into a rhythm and defeat the 'Nooks, 65-82. 

Senior, Olivia Kraska got the scoring started for both teams and the Nanooks got out to a quick seven-point lead over the Saints. Saint Martin's tied it up at 11 all with just over two minutes left in the first quarter and went on a 12-point run that was stopped when Emma Wass found Destiny Reimers for a layup to close out the first quarter. 

The Saints started off the scoring in the second quarter, but the 'Nooks strung together a five-point run highlighted by three-points from Emma McKenney. Alaska got within seven-points of the Saints after back-to-back jumpers from McKenney and Paola Perez-Mendoza. The Saints however, responded with back-to-back three pointers to close out the first half and the lead.  

Alaska's Kayla Johnson came out of halftime and scored the first two-points of the quarter. Johnson and McKenney teamed up for back-to-back points to get within 10-points of the Saints. SMU however managed to score on back-to-back possessions to push their lead to 19. Perez-Mendoza found Taylor Tiulana for a three and then Ellen Silvaon the following possession to give the 'Nooks some momentum. The Saints closed out the quarter and put themselves up by 16-points heading into the fourth quarter.   

The Nanooks knocked down four three-pointers to start the fourth quarter, three from Sam Tolliver, including her 100th career and one from Caitlin Pusich. Alaska unfortunately could not close the gap on the Saints lead as they fell to Saint Martin's.  

Alaska is back in action on Thursday, February 23rd as they hit the road and take on Montana State Billings at 5:30 p.m.