Alaska snaps losing streak with much-needed win over Vikings

Submitted by Tom Myrick
Phone: 907-474-6805
02/29/08

The Nanook women recorded their first win over Western Washington in over four years, snapping a six-game losing streak in the process, as they claimed a 78-72 victory over the visiting Vikings. The win boosts Alaska to 10-13 on the season, while dropping WWU an 8-20 mark for the year.

"We feel like we finally got out there and got the job done," head coach Lynne Andrew said afterwards. "They slipped a little bit here and there, but I thought they had 35 minutes of great basketball. The effort was there, they played as a team, and everybody got involved. I am really proud, they went out and earned it"

Sheena Brown led the Nanooks with 22 points, chipping in a career-high eight assists as well. Kari Reabold also had 19 points and five assists for the home side. Cristina Bruketta and Nicole Bozek scored 12 and 10 points apiece, and were immense down the stretch for the Nanooks: all of their combined 22 points came in the second half.

Though Alaska trailed by as many as 10 in the second half, the home side never gave up, as two spirited runs would propel the Nanooks to the victory. Down 45-35, the Blue and Gold would embark on a 16-3 run, keyed by four points from Bozek and three from Reabold.

When the Vikings battled back to reclaim a 56-55 lead, Andrew would see her team respond again, using a 12-4 run to put Western Washington away for good.

While the visitors would outshoot the Nanooks, knocking down 44 percent of their shots compared to just 39 percent for the home side, Alaska forced 22 turnovers, including 11 steals, and enjoyed a 43-38 rebounding advantage over the Vikings: Sarah Herrin and Bozek both pulling down eight apiece.

Western’s Amanda Dunbar led all scorers with 23 points, while Claire Pallansch and Marelle Moehrle would hit for 16 and 14 points respectively in a losing cause.

Alaska returns to the Patty Center court for their final home game of the 2007-08 season at 3 p.m. against Central Washington. The Nanooks’ two seniors, Kari Reabold and Joscelyn Shumate, will be honored in a brief ceremony prior to the contest.