SALT LAKE CITY – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team hits the road this week for two games at Westminster University. They take on the Westminster Griffins on Friday and conclude the weekend against Colorado Mesa on Saturday.
Friday, Nov. 21
at Westminster | 12 p.m. AKST
Behnken Field House | Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, Nov. 22
No. 21 Colorado Mesa | 1 p.m. AKST
Behnken Field House | Salt Lake City, Utah
Watch Here ($$) | Live Stats
Last Time Out
The 'Nooks opened their season at home last weekend with the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational. They welcomed Hawaii Hilo and The Master's to Fairbanks for three games on Friday-Sunday, with Saturday's game being a neutral site contest between the Vulcans and Mustangs. The Nanooks dropped their two contests, falling to Hawaii Hilo 98-76 and The Master's 104-72. Guard Tamai Mancuso earned an All-Tournament nod after averaging 21 points over the two games.
#NookNotes
- The 'Nooks are led by Tamai Mancuso, who has put up 42 points over her first two games. Her average of 21 points per game puts her second in the GNAC. She is shooting 42.4% from the field and 33.3% from three and has converted all seven free throw attempts to start the season. Her seven three-pointers made are the fifth-most in the conference.
- Ashlyn Waggoner is the other Nanook averaging double-digit points, posting a total of 20 to average 10 per game. She is 6-14 on her field goal attempts this season and has knocked down eight of 10 free throws.
- Chozen Horn-Young leads the team with 10 rebounds this season and is third on the team with 19 points.
- Emily Freeman and Amelia Brady are tied for the team lead with four assists.
- The 'Nooks are averaging 42.5 points from their bench this season, the second-most in the GNAC and eighth-most in Division II.
- Their 16.5 offensive rebounds per game ranks second in the conference and 39th in the nation.
- Alaska is averaging the second-most turnovers forced in the GNAC with 25. That mark puts them 28th in the country.
Meet the Opponents
Westminster Griffins (0-2, 0-0 RMAC)
Head Coach: Asami Morita (Third Season)
- The Westminster Griffins have begun the season 0-2, falling to Biola 70-53 on Nov. 14 and to Concordia Irvine 89-74 the next day.
- They are led by senior guard Teuila Nawahine, who, through two games, is averaging 19.5 points. She also leads the team with 10 assists and is tied for the lead in rebounds with 15.
- The 'Nooks last faced off against the Griffins in the 2023-24 season when they fell 64-57 and 74-69 on the road.
Colorado Mesa Mavericks (4-1, 0-0 RMAC)
Head Coach: Taylor Wagner (14th Season)
- The Mavericks have started the season by winning four of their first five games. They began the year with wins over GNAC sides Western Washington (65-62), Simon Fraser (61-54) and Saint Martin's (65-40) at the 2025 Canada DII CCA Tip-Off Classic in Langley, B.C., before dropping an 85-70 decision at West Texas A&M. They picked up an overtime win at Texas-Permian Basin 57-49.
- They are currently ranked 21st in the WBCA DII Coaches Poll.
- Sophomore guard Mason Rowland has been their leading scorer to start the season, averaging 16.6 points per game.
- Senior forward Olivia Reed ranks 36th in the country with 10.6 rebounds per game, and her five offensive boards per game put her 23rd in DII. She ranks eighth in the nation in blocks with nine and has posted two double-doubles to start the season.
- Alaska and Colorado Mesa last met at the DII Canadian Tip-Off Classic in 2023, when the Blue & Gold fell 69-55.
What's Next
The 'Nooks stay on the road next week as they head over to Minnesota for two games over Thanksgiving weekend. They face Minnesota State Moorhead on Friday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m. AKST, and St. Cloud State on Saturday at noon AKST.
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