The Basics

• Final score: Western Oregon 61, Alaska 62
• Records: WOU 3-18, 2-11 GNAC; UAF 10-13, 5-8 GNAC
• While the Wolves still lead in the all-time series, the Nanooks improved to 20-24.
• Location: Monmouth, Ore. – New P.E. Building

 
How It Happened
Both teams began the game with a low-scoring first quarter as each side had only scored four points in the first five minutes. The Wolves began to pick up the pace as Launia Davis hit a three-pointer. Seconds later, Davis stole the ball and finished a layup to give the Wolves their first lead of the game.
 
With the score tied going into the second quarter, Sydney Azorr scored a shot clock buzzer beater behind the arc to start the Wolves out. From there, the energy continued to build. With buckets from Davis, Azorr, Kaylie Boschma, Ali Nelke, and Natalie DeLonge, the Wolves went on a 12-point run to achieve their largest lead of 16 points over Alaska.
 
Western Oregon finished the first half, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and ahead at 30-19.
 
The Nanooks came out of the locker room after halftime with new energy as they quickly closed the gap, scoring 21 points in the third quarter to even the game once again.
 
In the fourth period, Alaska put the Wolves under pressure and constantly had an edge over the home team. Both Nelke and Boschma helped Western Oregon in the final minutes when they each buried a layup and also scored the extra free throw point from an Alaska foul. The game came down to the final seconds, and although Azorr made a three-pointer at the last buzzer, the Wolves came up short by one point.
 
Wolves' Top Performers

• Kaylie Boschma hit a career high and led all scorers with 16 points. She had a perfect game at the free throw line, going 6-for-6, while also adding seven rebounds.
• Sydney Azorr made it to double digits with 10 points and also posted five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
• Launia Davis totaled nine points and went 4-for-8 from the field.
• Emily Howey went 4-for-5 in field goals, tallying eight points, while posting seven boards and two steals.

 
For the Nanooks

• Kaillee Skjold led Alaska with 14 points and added two rebounds and two steals.
• Arinesha Smith totaled 13 points, going 7-for-10 at the free throw line, and also contributed five rebounds.
• Jordan Wilson accumulated 11 points with three assists and three boards.
• Autumn Childers had 10 points with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

 
Stats of the Game

• Western Oregon led for 23:23 minutes of the 40-minute game, while Alaska led for 9:06 minutes.
• The Wolves went 24-for-59 from the field and 9-for-13 in free throws, whereas the Nanooks went 20-for-52 from the field and 19-for-24 in free throws.
• Western Oregon had the advantage in second chance points (20-5) and points in the paint (32-24).
• The Wolves dominated on the boards, 46-26.

 
Coach Quotes
WOU head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter after the loss:

• "Nearly everything on the stat sheet tells me we should have won this game. We made four more baskets and outrebounded them by 20. We played a great first half on both sides of the ball. We attacked in transition and played great defense especially in the post."
• "Kaylie gave us great energy from the tip, and Launia gave us a boost off the bench when we were down."
• "We went back to old habits in the second half, and that cost us the game. We stopped doing everything that got us the lead in the first half. We stopped attacking the basket and were careless with the ball. This is a very disappointing loss, and at some point we have to be tough enough to break the cycle of playing poorly when we have a lead."

 
Up Next
The Wolves will take on No. 2 Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, February 6 in Monmouth. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.