FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks women's basketball team returns to Fairbanks this week for a pair of GNAC contests against Western Oregon and Saint Martin's. They face off against the Wolves on Thursday evening and wrap up their homestand against the Saints on Saturday afternoon.
Thursday, Dec. 5
7:30 p.m. | vs. Western Oregon
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center | Fairbanks
Saturday, Dec. 7
1:00 p.m. | vs. Saint Martin's
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium at the Patty Center | Fairbanks
Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
Last Time Out
Alaska is coming off a 2-1 road trip to Hawaii, which saw it take both contests against Chaminade on Nov. 20 and 22 before falling to Hawaii Pacific on Nov. 23.
The Nanooks won their first game against CUH 81-61. They would end the first quarter trailing 11-10, but outscored the Silverswords 25-14 in the second to build a comfortable 35-25 lead. From there, the 'Nooks cruised to a 20-point victory. Kayla Johnson notched her first double-double of the season during the win, scoring a team-high 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Emily Freeman, Miranda Lomax and Destiny Reimers joined her in double-digit scoring, posting 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively. Alaska shot 42.9% both from the floor and from beyond the arc, while CUH posted shooting marks of 33.3% and 20%. The Nanooks hit 12 three-pointers in the contest and held the Silverswords to just three makes from distance. The Blue and Gold also led in rebounds (42-38), bench points (42-27) and points off turnovers (26-22).
Lomax led the way for the 'Nooks during game two at Chaminade, finishing with team-highs in points (14) and assists (4) in an 82-66 win. Johnson, Taylor Pilot and Freeman also finished with 10+ points, posting 13, 12 and 10. 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.
The Nanooks dropped their final game in Hawaii, falling to Hawaii Pacific 75-65. Reimers and Lomax were the two Nanooks to post double-digit points, tallying 17 and 10, respectively. Both teams scored 26 points in the first quarter, but Alaska could not keep up with HPU in the second, going into halftime down 45-39. The 'Nooks briefly retook the lead at 50-49 but surrendered it less than a minute later. Alaska led HPU in points off turnovers (10-7) and bench points (33-29) but was outshot from beyond the arc 44.8% to 25.7%. After going 6-of-9 from deep in the first quarter, the Nanooks would make three of their final 26 three-point attempts.
#NookNotes
- Destiny Reimers is Alaska's leading scorer this season as her 13.4 points per game ranks eighth in the GNAC. Her 6.29 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game also pace the squad.
- Reimers and Kayla Johnson sit eighth and 12th in the GNAC in free-throws made with 22 and 20, respectively.
- Taylor Pilot ranks second in the GNAC and 23rd in the nation in steals per game, averaging 3.14 through seven games.
- Pilot's 2.9 assists per game puts her 13th in the conference.
- Emily Freeman has knocked down 18 three-pointers this season, which places her fourth in the GNAC. She has also registered a three-point percentage of 48.6% to put her second in the GNAC and 29th in Division II.
- The Nanooks lead the GNAC and are sixth in DII in three-pointers per game, averaging 10.1 makes from beyond the arc this season. They are shooting at a 34.8% clip from distance this season, which is good for third in the conference.
- Alaska has the second-highest scoring offense in the GNAC, averaging 75.4 points per game.
Meet the Opponents
Western Oregon 2-4, 0-0 GNAC
Head Coach: Jessica Peatross (2nd season)
The Wolves are coming into the game having dropped four straight, including both their contests in the Big Island Holiday Classic in Hilo, Hawaii. They fell in a 56-49 decision to Hawaii Hilo before losing 95-50 to No. 18 Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Western Oregon participated in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational last month, splitting its games against Corban (W, 74-70) and Western Colorado (L, 70-67).
They are led by Bella Pedrojetti, whose 15.8 points per game leads the team and ranks fifth in the GNAC.
Saint Martin's 6-1, 0-0 GNAC
Head Coach: Natalie Marlowe (2nd season)
The Saints enter the week with a 6-1 record to start the season; their only loss came in a 59-46 defeat at Point Loma Nazarene. They are coming off two wins at the Seattle Pacific Thanksgiving Classic, defeating Colorado Christian 72-53 and Metro State (Colo.) 68-53.
SMU currently sits atop the GNAC leaderboards in blocks per game (5.4) and opponent field goal percentage (31.1%) while allowing 48.4 points per game, which ranks second in the conference.
Freshman guard Jada Travis leads SMU in points per game (12.7) and rebounds per game (7.14). Her 36% three-point percentage also leads the squad.
What's Next
Alaska concludes the 2024 portion of its schedule in California with games at Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State on Dec. 17 and 19.
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