FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks women's basketball team made it two-in-a-row in the win column with consecutive GNAC victories with a win on Saturday, Jan. 27. With the win, the Nanooks are now 4-15, 2-7 GNAC. 

The Nanooks won each of the first two quarters; coming out strong, jumping out to a first quarter lead at 17-12. They outscored Western Oregon 21-19 in the second and took a 38-31 lead at the halftime break. Out of the break, SMU won the third, 17-12, pulling within two at 50-48. Either side were back and forth in the fourth, seeing the Wolves take a late three-point lead, but a clutch Ellen Silva free throw followed by a Kayla Johnson layup tied the game for overtime, 68-68. In overtime, the Nanooks outscored the Wolves by four for the 77-73 win.

Alaska pounced early, running out to a 5-0. Destiny Reimers got the scoring started with a three and a layup. WOU responded with 10 straight before Alaska began to chip away at the WOU lead via an Emma McKenney jump shot. Her jumper jumpstarted a 9-0 lead to grow their lead back out to four on a Silva layup. The Wolves ended the run, and Anna Nevison hit a three to extend the lead to 17-12 to end the first. Reimers again opened scoring in the second, and Emma Wass immediately followed with a three to stretch the lead to 10, 22-12. Either team traded buckets for the rest of the second, taking a seven-point lead into the half up, 38-31. 

In the third, the Nanooks made only three field goals on 10 shots, while WOU posted seven field goals on 19 shots. The Wolves outscored Alaska 17-12 and pulled within two heading into the fourth. Both offenses posted big numbers in the fourth. 14 of our 18 points came from the three-point and free-throw line for the Nanooks as they went three of eight from three and five of eight from the line. The Wolves made eight field goals and two threes, outscoring the 'Nooks by two to send the game to overtime. In overtime, the Nanooks went three of seven from the floor and three of six from the line. Alaska put the clamps on the Wolves' offense, holding them to just one made field goal in overtime. All five Alaska starters scored in overtime to secure their second straight GNAC victory at home. 

Kayla Johnson led the way offensively with 18 points. She went 4-10 from the floor and 9-10 from the free throw line. She added eight rebounds, too. Emma McKenney added 14 points, four rebounds and five assists. Ellen Silva posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.  Emma Wass added another presence on the glass with 13 rebounds. Destiny Reimers also joined them in double-digits with 17 points and five rebounds.

The Nanooks will take the road and be back in action on Thursday, February 1, at 6:00 p.m. They take on the Western Washington; all the action can be found on the Alaska Nanooks YouTube. 

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