FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks women's basketball team (0-25, 0-17 GNAC) was unable to generate much offense over the first three quarters of their matchup against the Saint Martin's Saints, and despite a 27-point effort in the fourth quarter, the Nanooks fell 99-59.

How it Happened
Both sides traded baskets on their opening possessions, with Pearle Green answering an Avery Oaster layup with one of her own. However, the Nanooks would not score another point for nearly four minutes, allowing Saint Martin's to go on an 11-0 run and build its lead to double-digits. Green got Alaska back on the board with a three, and Jazlynn Novelli and Marney Rees chipped in with layups, but the 'Nooks entered the second trailing 25-11. Neither team scored for the first 2:21 of the second quarter, with Tamai Mancuso notching the first points of the period on a layup. SMU responded by scoring their next 11 points unanswered, building their lead to 36-13. Genevieve Velasquez cut the run with a layup, and Rees, Emily Freeman and Novelli added baskets to close out the quarter, but the Nanooks found themselves in a 47-22 hole entering the locker room.

Freeman began the scoring in the third with a three, and added another make from beyond the arc a couple of minutes later, but that would be Alaska's final field goal of the quarter, as they managed just a pair of free throws for the rest of the third and went into the final 10 minutes of action down 69-32.

The Nanooks posted their best offensive output of the evening in the fourth quarter, shooting 73.3% from the field and 75% from three-point range, for 27 points. Mancuso posted eight points in the quarter on four field goals, while Freeman drained two more threes to give her four makes from beyond the arc. However, despite the offensive surge, the deficit was too great, and the Nanooks could not get back into the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Emily Freeman led the way with 14 points in the game, knocking down four of six three-point attempts. She added two assists and a rebound.
• Jazlynn Novelli followed with 13 points on 4-5 shooting, while collecting four rebounds and two steals.
• Tamai Mancuso was the final Nanook in double figures, posting 11 points.
• Marney Rees grabbed a team-high seven rebounds on the afternoon.
• The Nanooks went 23-48 (47.9%) from the field and 6-19 (31.6%) from beyond the arc while making seven of 10 free throws.

What's Next
The Nanooks close out their season on Saturday at 1 p.m. as they take on Western Oregon in the Patty Center. The 'Nooks will honor their senior class before the game, so get there early as we celebrate our nine seniors!

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