FAIRBANKS - The Central Washington Wildcats defeated the Nanooks women's basketball team on Thursday, Feb. 15, 78-61, dropping the 'Nooks to 4-19, 2-11 GNAC. 

CWU improves to 16-10, 7-7 GNAC.

The two sides came out battling in the first two quarters. CWU led after one, 25-19, shooting 62.5% from the floor while the Nanooks went 45% from the floor. The Wildcats lead grew after the second as they took a 12-point advantage into the locker room. Out of the half, Central put up a 20-9 third-quarter total to extend their lead. Alaska outscored the Wildcats in the fourth but ultimately fell by 16. The Nanooks grabbed a quick 4-0 lead on an Emma Wass jumper followed by a Kayla Johnson layup. CWU quickly responded with five-straight, but the 'Nooks had answers early. After Johnson regained the lead for Alaska, Ellen Silva got in the scoring column to make it a three-point lead before an Emma McKenney three and Johnson jumper pushed the Alaska lead to six. That lead would maintain until the 17-17 mark when CWU crawled back to tie the game and eventually run out to their own six-point lead to end the quarter. 

In the second, CWU quickly pushed on the gas, running out to a 13-point lead before Destiny Reimers put a stop to their run. The Nanooks chipped away, making it a nine-point game but a Capri Sims three for CWU started a run that made it a 16-point deficit for the 'Nooks. Once again, Alaska showed fight, battling back to within eight on a Halle Waram three, but before the break, CWU used four-straight to make it 47-35 after 20 minutes. 

The third saw the 'Nooks make only four field goals and CWU's lead grow to 23. Despite holding Central to their worst shooting quarter of the night, four made three-pointers for the Wildcats proved the difference. Entering the fourth, CWU led 67-44. Down the stretch, Alaska fought; they managed to pull back to within 17 at the 4:16 mark on an Ellen Silva layup. Silva ended up scoring four of the final six points down the stretch for the 'Nooks before CWU grabbed the 78-61 win. 

Silva led the Nanooks with 14 points, grabbing three rebounds, picking up a pair of steals and dishing an assist. Kayla Johnson had another near double-double, going for 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Emma McKenney finished the night with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds. 

Alaska is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 17 at noon against Northwest Nazarene. 

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