HONOLULU - The Nanooks won their third straight game Friday evening in a rematch against Chaminade with a final score of 82-66. They are off to their best start to a season since the 2014-15 season, which saw them win their first five games.
Miranda Lomax led the way for the 'Nooks, finishing with team-highs in points (14) and assists (4).
The Nanooks began the game by falling behind 6-2 in the first four minutes of action, but a Taylor Pilot three brought Alaska to within one. Chaminade rebuilt a 12-7 lead following a pair of made layups; however, the Nanooks ended the quarter on a 7-2 run, aided by an and-one conversion from Jayda Van Dyke with 1:22 left in the period. Both sides entered the opening break tied at 14.
Halle Waram opened the second by draining a shot from beyond the arc, putting Alaska up 17-14 just six seconds into the quarter. Pilot followed with a jumper and three ball, and Kayla Johnson notched layups on consecutive possessions to put the 'Nooks in front 26-20. Following a pair of CUH free throws, Alaska found its stroke, connecting on two three-pointers in thirty seconds from Anna Nevison and Taylor Tiulana. Johnson built on the lead with a jumper, putting the Nanooks ahead 34-22. Destiny Reimers added a pair of free throws at the 3:43 mark, and despite not scoring another point for the remainder of the period, the Nanooks took a 36-28 lead into the half.
Lomax got the Nanooks on the board just over a minute into the third, sinking the fastbreak layup off the feed from Emily Freeman. Van Dyke added to the advantage with a three-pointer, putting Alaska ahead by double-digits at 41-29. The Nanooks would not lead by fewer than 10 points for the remainder of the contest. Lomax added another five points on a layup and a three, while Johnson converted the three-point play, contributing to an 11-2 run for the Nanooks. Van Dyke chipped in with a make from deep during the run, building a 52-33 lead with 5:34 left in the quarter. Freeman would knock down a three before Alaska went 6-of-8 from the stripe to close out the third, scoring the final six points of the quarter at the line.
With the Blue and Gold holding a 61-40 lead heading into the final 10 minutes, Chaminade opened the final quarter with four straight points. The Nanooks responded with their own 4-0 run, receiving layups from Johnson and Tristian Martin before CUH countered by matching the run. Freeman and Waram notched a pair of threes to help reestablish a 20+ point lead and despite an 8-0 run from the Silverswords, Alaska cruised to a comfortable 82-66 victory.
Alaska was outscored in the paint (44-24) and on second chances (17-11) but posted 20 points off turnovers compared to 16 for CUH. They also shot 39.7% from the floor and 35.1% from deep while holding Chamiade to 0-of-17 from beyond the arc.
Alaska concludes its trip to Hawaii tomorrow with a matchup at Hawaii Pacific at 2 p.m. AKST.
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