FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team (0-17, 0-9 GNAC) nearly overcame a slow start in their game against the Seattle Pacific Falcons on Saturday, trailing by as many as 22 in the first quarter but coming back to make it a three-point game in the third. However, they could not put themselves in front and fell 69-56.

How it Happened
The Nanooks struggled to get much going in the first quarter, as after Jazlynn Novelli got them on the board with a basket 1:37 into the contest, Alaska wouldn't score again until 2:06 left in the first. The Falcons were able to build a 22-2 lead after a 19-0 run during the Nanooks' scoring drought, which was ended by a Chozen Horn-Young free throw. Genevieve Velasquez added two more makes from the charity stripe, and Pearle Green and Velasquez ended the quarter with a three and two-point field goal, respectively. However, the Blue and Gold ended the first 10 minutes down 27-10. Green notched three triples in the first four minutes of the second, helping the 'Nooks cut the deficit down to 11 at 32-21. Velasquez added a jumper, and Green would score Alaska's final five points of the half, connecting on a jumper before getting a put-back layup. She ended the half by hitting a free throw to pull the Nanooks to within eight at 36-28.

Emily Freeman got the Nanooks started with a three and a layup in the first minute of the third, cutting the deficit to just three points, but SPU responded with a 15-4 run to put the visitors back up by double digits. Tamai Mancuso and Green both connected from downtown in the final minute of the period to once again make the deficit single-digits, but the Nanooks still trailed 51-43 entering the final 10 minutes of play. Novelli, Mancuso and Velasquez would each knock down a field goal in the opening five minutes of the fourth, making it a six-point game. Velasquez would add a jumper to respond to two Grace Turley free throws, but the Falcons were able to bring their lead back up to 10 with three minutes left. Marney Rees hit a layup, and Mancuso converted a three-point play, but it would be enough as the Nanooks could not complete the comeback.

Inside the Numbers

• Pearle Green had a team-high 22 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds and four assists. The guard went 7-19 from the field, 5-13 from three and 3-4 from the free throw line, while adding two steals and a block.
• Genevieve Velasquez posted 12 points on 5-8 while also collecting seven rebounds and two steals.
• Three more Nanooks grabbed seven rebounds during the game, as Emily Freeman, Marney Rees and Desiree Redfox all tied for the team lead.
• The Nanooks shot 21-70 (30%) from the field and 7-29 (24.1%) from three while converting seven of their nine free throw attempts.
• The 'Nooks outrebounded the Falcons 48-45 and dished 14 assists to SPU's 12.

What's Next
The Nanooks are on the road next week, taking on Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. AKST.

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