NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene women's basketball dropped a heartbreaker to Alaska Anchorage on Saturday night, falling to the 11
th-ranked Seawolves 76-72.
How It Happened
- The Nighthawks jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead on a Lydia Nieto jumper at the 6:18 mark of the first quarter, but the Seawolves would claw back to even the score at 17 before a Nicole Gall jumper gave NNU a two-point lead after one.
- NNU went on a 7-2 run to open the second period, as a Jordan Pinson triple gave the Nighthawks what proved to be their biggest lead of the game at seven, 26-19, with 8:43 remaining in the half.
- UAA again fought their way back into it, though, hitting a three in the closing seconds of the half to cut NNU's lead to one, 38-37, at the break.
- The third quarter saw multiple lead changes, with the teams trading blows until NNU went up by two, 57-55, heading into the final 10 minutes.
- The lead exchanged hands a few more times, before the Seawolves were able to go up by three, 69-66, with 1:28 to play.
- Gall cut the deficit to one with a jumper on the other end, but UAA responded with an and-one to bring the lead back up to four, 72-68.
- The Seawolves were able to convert enough free throws from there, holding on for the 76-72 victory.
Nighthawks Notes
- NNU falls to 9-4 on the year and 3-2 in GNAC play, snapping a five-game win streak.
- The Nighthawks shot better from the field, 46.3% to 43.8%, but the Seawolves had the advantage from deep, making 11 triples to NNU's seven.
- There were 20 lead changes in the game, with NNU's seven-point advantage in the second quarter the largest lead for either team.
- Teagan Thurman starred for NNU, scoring a career-high 24 points and pulling down 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. She stuffed the stat sheet, also recording three assists, two steals, and a block while shooting 58.8% from the field.
- Jordan Pinson continued her good stretch of games, pouring in 18 points including three deep triples. She also added seven assists, tying her career-best.
- Nyalam Thabach was the other Nighthawk in double figures with 10 points, while Clare Eubanks added nine.
Next Up
The Nighthawks will head out on the road next week, visiting Simon Fraser on Thursday, January 13 and Western Washington two days later on Saturday.
