FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Sophomore guard Hannah Whitsett scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Western Oregon women's basketball team to a 61-39 victory over Alaska Fairbanks in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game Thursday.

Whitsett (Hermiston, Ore./Hermiston) connected on a career-high 8 of 9 free throws while also draining two three-pointers. Senior guard Sara Zahler (Newberg, Ore./Newberg) recorded 13 points and grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds. Sophomore guard Jamie Richardson (Grants Pass, Ore./Hidden Valley) added 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting to go along with 4 steals.

After starting the game 0 for 9 and falling behind by four, Western (9-12, 7-6 GNAC) went on a 22-3 run spanning 7:19 to take a commanding 22-7 lead with 5:55 left in the first half.

The Wolves would lead by as many as 26 in the second half.

Western played another strong game defensively, holding UAF (1-20, 1-13 GNAC) to 39 points on 33.3 percent shooting. The 39 points ties a season-low for the Nanooks. WOU forced a season-high 34 turnovers and recorded 14 steals. Alaska Fairbanks was held to just 7 offensive rebounds.

"I thought our defense was what won the game for us," WOU head coach Greg Bruce said. "Our defensive intensity was great from the tif-off and I don't think it ever let down."

WOU had its own struggles, turning the ball over 31 times and hitting just 7 of 22 three-point tries.

The Wolves will conclude their road trip Saturday at No. 14 Alaska Anchorage. Game time is set for 6:15 pm PST.