NAMPA, Idaho - Alaska fell to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on Thursday, Jan. 18. The 76-56 loss drops the 'Nooks to 2-14, 0-6 GNAC on the season. 

Northwest Nazarene came out firing in the first quarter, grabbing a 21-8 advantage after the opening 10 minutes. That was aided by seven first quarter three-pointers. The Nanooks managed to work back and make it a 10-point game at the half but a big third from NNU pushed them ahead by 22 heading into the fourth. The Nanooks managed to win the battle in the fourth but it was too late as the Nighthawks ended with the victory. 

After NNU's big first, the Nanooks responded by making it a game in the second. The Nighthawks pulled ahead 26-8 before Alaska made it a nine-point game at 28-19 as Tristian Martin connected on her second bucket in less than a minute. NNU would respond to the Nanooks' run, but to end the half, Alaska was within 10 as Emma McKenney hit a last-second three. Out of the break, Alaska made it an eight-point game on an Emma Wass jumper but that was as close as they'd get. Northwest Nazarene ran their lead back out to as many as 26 in the third before Wass connected on a pair of free throws to make it a 22-point deficit heading to the fourth.

In the fourth, the Nanooks chipped away in the opening minute and a half. Back-to-back-to-back baskets made it a 15-point deficit as Halle Waram hit a layup at the 8:19 mark forcing an NNU timeout. Out of the break, NNU stopped the run and stopped the hopes of any comeback. They turned around and pushed their lead back to 21 before winning the game by 20. Emma McKenney led Alaska with 14 points. She shot 40% from the floor and went 2-4 from deep while adding a pair of assists and a block. Ellen Silva joined in with a double-double, posting an 11-point, 13-rebound effort in Nampa. She went 5-10 from the floor and dished out one assist. Emma Wass had a nine-point, eight-rebound night as well.

The Nanooks are back in action on Jan. 20 at Central Washington. Tip is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. AKST.

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