Nanook WBB Opens with Victory

Submitted by Dave Geringer
Phone: 6807
11/12/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 12, 2004
Contact: Dave Geringer, Sports Information Director
Phone: 907-474-6807

WBB Team Opens Season with Victory

FAIRBANKS, AK-Prior to Friday night’s season opener against Rocky Mountain College at the Patty Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks women’s basketball coach Lynne Andrew thought that her team was ready to play against an opponent instead of scrimmaging among themselves.

Andrew was right. Junior guard Valerie Hartman hit three three-point shots to give UAF a quick 9-0 lead, and the Nanooks rolled to an 84-49 victory against the Bears.

UAF opened a 26-7 lead at the midway point of the first half, then used a 19-10 run to take their biggest lead of the first half, 45-17, with 2:24 remaining. The Nanooks built their lead to as many as 37 points, 82-45, with 2:09 to play.

Senior guard Adrienne Taalak (Nuiqsut, AK/Mount Edgecumbe HS) made nine of 14 shots from the field, including five of 10 from three-point range, and led all scorers with 23 points. Hartman, who made six of 11 shots from the field and five of eight from beyond the arc, finished with 17 points and six assists. UAF made 44.3 per cent of their shots from the field and 12 of 26 from three-point range, outrebounded RMC, 43-26, and forced 30 turnovers. Gretchen Wall led Rocky with 14 points, while Jenny Balgua added 11.

"We ran some of our plays well, and we did a good job pushing the ball down the court,"? said Nanook Head Coach Lynne Andrew. "We stepped up, played hard, and were able to get a lot of people into the game. We also learned some things that will help us get better. Val stepped up and shot the ball well, and we saw what she is capable of doing."?

With the victory, Alaska Fairbanks improved to 1-0, and won their opening game for the fourth consecutive season. Rocky Mountain fell to 1-3. The Nanooks will host their annual Blue and Gold scrimmage Saturday afternoon at 2:00, prior to the men’s game against their alumni.

-UAF BASKETBALL-