ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team opened the new year with a competitive matchup against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Thursday, Jan. 1. The Nighthawks held the lead for much of the contest and maintained control through three quarters before Alaska Anchorage pulled ahead late, handing NNU a narrow 76–71 setback.
The Nighthawks move to 5-5 overall on the season and sit at 0-2 in conference.
The Nighthawks got to work early, scoring in the paint from Kendall Clark, Trinidie Nichols, and Allie Hueckman. Rylie Edlefsen then knocked down a three to build momentum for NNU. The Seawolves looked to respond but struggled to slow the Nighthawks' offensive control. Shooting 10-19 from the floor, the Nighthawks closed the opening quarter with a 24–18 lead.
Both teams got off to a slower start in the second quarter, as the game went scoreless for the first three minutes. Sadi Clemons broke the drought with a jumper at the seven-minute mark, sparking the Nighthawks' offense. Key baskets from Nichols followed, along with two deep threes from Beaux Bruegman. Bruegman's second triple extended the Nighthawks' lead to 14. Despite a late three from Seawolves' Faith Mersburgh, NNU carried a 39–30 advantage into halftime.
Northwest Nazarene continued to control the pace coming out of halftime. Allie Hueckman and Rylie Edlefsen provided early offense, with Edlefsen knocking down a key three to keep the momentum rolling. The Nighthawks capitalized on stops at the defensive end, highlighted by a steal from Claire Fischer, and continued to extend their lead with balanced scoring. Trinidie Nichols capped the quarter with a deep three, pushing NNU's advantage to 54–49 as the Nighthawks headed into the final period.
The pace shifted in the fourth quarter as the Seawolves amped up their offense. Back-to-back threes from Alaska Anchorage's Elaina Mack and Mahaila Harrison helped swing momentum, and a driving layup followed by made free throws tied the game at 58–58. Kendall Clark answered with two key baskets in the paint to briefly restore the Nighthawks' lead.
However, the momentum was short-lived, as Mersburgh buried another shot from beyond the arc to tie the game once again. Alaska Anchorage then took control down the stretch, and despite a late three from Nichols, the buzzer sounded with the Seawolves securing a 76–71 victory.
Allie Hueckman led her team with 19 points. Trinidie Nichols recorded 18 points and 4 steals. Followed by Kendall Clark who had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Nighthawks will stay in Alaska to compete against Alaska Fairbanks at 1 pm Alaskan Time on January 3rd.
