Box Score FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team used a strong offensive performance in the second half to cruise to its eighth consecutive victory.

The Nighthawks defeated Alaska 88-62 on Thursday in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

NNU (10-3 overall, 5-0 GNAC) struggled offensively in the first half, scoring just 18 points in the first 15 minutes, 25 seconds of action.

Eventually, though, the Nighthawks kicked it into high gear and pulled away.

"We missed a lot of shots we normally make and we were a little bit tentative offensively," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "You can't be tentative, especially not the style we play. We have to stay aggressive. Fairbanks did a good job of getting back in transition, but we honestly just missed a lot of shots we'd normally make."

Early in the second half, Alaska pulled within 35-30 but the Nighthawks went on a 13-5 run to take a 48-35 lead. Avery Albrecht had a 3-pointer and a three-point play during the spurt as NNU eventually led by as many 27.

While the offense was running strong, the team's defense wilted a bit in the second half.

Alaska (6-8, 1-4) made seven second-half 3-pointers and scored 35 points overall in the final two quarters.

"They shot the 3 really well and we had problems finding the open shooter on defense," Steele said, "but we got the pace up a little better in the second half and our shots started falling."

Freshman Clare Eubanks had her best game of the season, scoring 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from the line. She also grabbed three rebounds.

"We did a good job of finding our post players," Steele said. "Clare and Zoe did a good job. We are not the biggest team, but I thought we had the advantage tonight and we did a good job.

"Clare has been working hard and being patient and tonight it paid off."

It was only the second time this season Eubanks has scored in double figures and the first time since she had 12 in the season opener against Hawaii Pacific.

Albrecht finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Marina Valles had 14 points, five rebounds and four steals. Jordan Pinson and Nicole Gall each added eight points.

NNU started three freshmen as sophomore Erin Jenkins was again out with an injury.

The slow start Thursday may have been attributed to having seven freshmen making their first trip to Alaska.

"We worked hard this week on not letting the external things bother us," Steele said, "but I do think it did in the first half. It's so hard when you come here. It's so foreign. It's negative-40 outside and it is hard.

"It will be hard again Saturday. You play in that huge arena, the crowd and all that stuff. It will be good for our young kids to experience that stuff and play through it."

NNU plays at No. 10 Alaska Anchorage at 9:30 p.m. MST on Saturday.