FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team opens 2026 with a pair of home GNAC contests vs. Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene.

Thursday, Jan. 1
vs. Central Washington | 5:15 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium | Fairbanks

Saturday, Jan. 3
vs. Northwest Nazarene | 1 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium | Fairbanks

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Last Time Out
The Nanooks concluded 2025 in California with games against Azusa Pacific and Biola. The 'Nooks fell 82-50 to APU on Thursday, Dec. 18, and 75-49 to Biola on Saturday, Dec. 20. Jazlynn Novelli made an immediate impact in her season debut during the two games, leading the team with 28 points on 12-34 shooting. She also posted team-highs with five assists, three blocks and six steals, while grabbing five rebounds for the Nanooks.

#NookNotes

• Tamai Mancuso leads the Nanooks with 13.4 points per game, ranking 11th in the GNAC. Her 33.1% field goal percentage is 10th in the conference.
• Mancuso is knocking down her threes at a 27.2% clip, which puts her sixth in the GNAC. Her 2.2 three-pointers per game is good for fourth in the conference.
• Ashlyn Waggoner currently leads the Nanooks with 5.5 rebounds per game. She is also tied for the team lead in blocks with six, sharing the spot with Amelia Brady.
• Alycia Shelley has been Alaska's top distributor this season, racking up 18 total assists.
• Genevieve Velasquez's 14 steals lead the squad.
• The Nanooks have gotten 24.7 points per game from their bench this season, ranking second in the GNAC.

Meet the Opponents
No. 16 Central Washington Wildcats (10-1, 1-0 GNAC)
Head Coach: Randi Richardson (9th Season)

• The Wildcats have opened their season with 10 wins in their first 11 games. Their only loss was vs. No. 19 Cal Poly Pomona, 70-67. They have picked up wins vs. RV Vanguard 66-58, RV Mary 89-82 and RV Cal State LA 74-59. Their one GNAC win this season came against Northwest Nazarene, 77-63.
• Senior guard Asher Cai is currently the GNAC's top scorer, posting 23.8 points per game. That mark puts her third in DII. She also leads the GNAC in assists per game with 4.6.
• Central Washington's 49.7% field goal percentage is tops in the GNAC and third in the nation.

Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (5-4, 0-1 GNAC)
Head Coach: Steve Steele (10th Season)

• The Nighthawks split their last two games at the GNAC-RMAC Crossover, falling to Colorado Mesa 67-52 on Friday, Dec. 19, before defeating Westminster 74-57 the next day. The victory over the Griffins snapped a three-game losing skid for the Nighthawks.
• Senior guard Trinidie Nichols leads NNU with 13.7 points per game, ranking eighth in the GNAC. She also leads the conference in steals per game with 3.4.
• The Nighthawks have forced the most turnovers per game in the GNAC with 21.4.

GNAC Standings

1. Western Washington (10-3, 2-0 GNAC)
2. Western Oregon (7-3, 2-0 GNAC)
3. Saint Martin's (6-5, 2-0 GNAC)
4. Simon Fraser (7-6, 2-0 GNAC)
5. Central Washington (10-1, 1-0 GNAC)
6. Northwest Nazarene (5-4, 0-1 GNAC)
7. Alaska Anchorage (8-3, 0-2 GNAC)
8. Montana State Billings (8-7, 0-2 GNAC)
9. Seattle Pacific (3-8, 0-2 GNAC)
10. Alaska (0-10, 0-2 GNAC)

What's Next
The 'Nooks hit the road next week for a single contest against in-state rivals Alaska Anchorage. They take on the Seawolves on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m.

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