FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team (0-16, 0-8 GNAC) fell to the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets 86-45 on Thursday afternoon.

How it Happened
Both sides traded threes out of the gate, with Pearle Green knocking down a shot from distance on Alaska's opening possession. MSUB would use an 8-0 run to pull ahead 11-3, but a three from Emily Freeman followed by a Green layup brought it back to a three-point game. A Genevieve Velasquez jumper and two Tamai Mancuso free throws kept it a three-point deficit before a Green three made it 17-15 MSUB. Green and Mancuso would tie things up at 19 thanks to a pair of baskets, and a Mancuso buzzer-beater from well beyond half-court saw Alaska end the first quarter down by just one at 23-22. Mancuso would give the 'Nooks the lead on the other side of the break, hitting a jumper to put the Blue and Gold up by one, but the Yellowjackets responded by scoring 13 unanswered, and Alaska found itself down by 12. Mancuso ended the scoring drought with a free throw, and Velasquez added a jumper later in the period, but the Nanooks were held to just five points in the second, and went into the locker room trailing 39-27.

Jazlynn Novelli got the Nanooks on the board with a layup to start the third. Green added a layup and a three in the quarter, but the 'Nooks were held to four field goals and 1-6 from three-point range, and entered the final 10 minutes down 66-40. Mancuso would score Alaska's only field goal of the fourth on a three-pointer, and the Nanooks were outscored 20-5 in the fourth.

Inside the Numbers

• Pearle Green led the way with 17 points, going 6-16 from the field, 3-8 from three and 2-2 from the free throw line. She added three rebounds and a steal.
• Tamai Mancuso followed with 13 points on 4-10 shooting. She went 2-4 from three and 3-4 from the charity stripe, while collecting four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
• Genevieve Velasquez posted six points and four rebounds while leading the team with two blocks.
• Marney Rees grabbed 13 rebounds and dished three assists, both team highs.
• Alaska shot 15-63 (23.8%) from the field, 6-18 (33.3%) from three and 9-12 from the free throw line during the contest.

What's Next
The Nanooks are back for one more game at the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 24, with a matchup against Seattle Pacific at noon.

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