BILLINGS, Mont. - The Nanooks began their two-game road trip on Thursday, traveling to Montana State Billings for a matchup against the Yellowjackets. The 'Nooks fell by a final of 71-51, dropping to 5-11, 0-8 GNAC on the season.
How it Happened
The Nanooks began the contest falling behind 10-6 after MSUB logged a 6-0 run. Destiny Reimers would put the 'Nooks back in front with layups on consecutive possessions, taking an 11-10 advantage. The two sides traded the lead over the next 1:14, and after nearly three scoreless minutes, Amelia Brady added to Alaska's lead with a layup, giving the Blue & Gold a 15-12 lead that they would take into the second quarter.
Taylor Pilot got things going for the Nanooks in the second, notching two straight layups to help build Alaska's advantage to 19-14 at the 8:17 mark. Neither team would score for the next 4:28 until a Yellowjacket three made it a two-point game. That would kick off 11 straight MSUB points without a Nanooks response, and Alaska entered the break trailing 25-19.
Montana State Billings opened the third by knocking down two quick three-pointers, taking a 12-point lead before Emily Freeman responded with a three-ball to trim the deficit to single digits. However, the Yellowjackets quickly retook the 10+ point advantage. Alaska found itself down 42-26 before a 9-2 run put the Blue & Gold back to within nine, with Miranda Lomax knocking down a three to make it a 44-35 contest with three minutes left in the quarter. Jayda Van Dyke added another three later in the period, but the Nanooks entered the final 10 minutes trailing 52-40.
MSUB started the fourth on an 11-2 run, building their lead to 63-42 at the 4:31 mark. Pilot posted Alaska's first field goal of the quarter by converting a three-point play, and Freeman followed with a triple. Reimers converted another and-one with 1:04 remaining, but that would be all the scoring for the Nanooks, as they fell by 20.
Inside the Numbers
- Destiny Reimers led the team with 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She added five rebounds, two steals and an assist.
- Taylor Pilot was the other Nanook to finish with double-digit points, posting 12. She also led the team with seven rebounds and tied for the team lead in assists (3) and steals (2).
- Emily Freeman knocked down a pair of threes on four attempts to give her six points on the evening.
- Alaska shot 33.3% from the floor and 23.5% from three while knocking down 11 of its 13 free throws.
- The Nanooks were outrebounded 40-31 in the contest.
What's to Come
The Nanooks are away from home for another game on Saturday as they travel to Seattle Pacific to take on the Falcons. Tip off is set for 1 p.m. AKT.
Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanooksWBB
X - @NanooksWBB
FB - Alaska Nanooks Women's Basketball
