FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Corban University Women's Basketball team found themselves on the wrong end of a three-point contest that took place in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational finale earlier this evening, as the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks poured in 15 field goals from beyond the arc on 44% shooting to down the Warriors 92-67
A flurry of made field goals from three-point territory tonight by the tourney-host Nanooks (3-1) spelled doom for the Warriors (1-3), who dropped their third-straight contest after a season-opener victory just over a week ago on Tim Hills Court. Despite being outscored 50-20 over the second half, the Navy and Gold held their own throughout the opening half after trailing by double-digits and eventually held a 47-42 lead entering the halftime break.
However, ending the second quarter with two missed free throws following an Alaska Fairbanks technical foul and not able to convert on the final possession of the half left a sour taste in Warrior Nation fans' mouths despite holding five-point lead, which was quickly erased over the first minutes of quarter number three as the Nanooks exploded out of the locker room to force the issue under the basket and expand their offense to more than just the three-point line. Once the hometown program developed a presence in the paint, highlighted by a 30-0 advantage in the second half, the contested three-pointers began to open up as the Corban defense scrambled to find their assignments due to UAF's ability to stretch the court.
A career-high and game-high 18 points from sophomore guard Lizzy Bennett along with eight boards on nearly 50% shooting from the field was the catalyst in the Warriors' Alaskan efforts today, yet a combined 36% from the remainder of the Corban lineup resulted in their 25-point loss. Redshirt junior Tori Younker was named to the All-Tournament team as the sole Navy and Gold representative, dishing out three assists with three rebounds in 28 minutes played in tonight's contest.
Senior guard Alyssa Wyllie joined Bennett with multiple three-point field goals and another double-digit scoring effort with 11 points off the bench, while senior forward Madison Hodnett scored ten points and hauled in four boards. Fellow senior guard Gemma LaVergne led all Corban student-athletes with four assists dealt out.
The Nanooks had three starters in double figures today, with the trio of guards all hitting at least one three-pointer and went a combined 9-for-10 from the free throw line. The leading scorer for UAF, Destiny Reimers, scored 17 points with a game-best seven assists as the leader of the Nanooks' offensive scheme. Taylor Pilot and Jayda Van Dyke pitched in 16 points apiece and snagged a combined 11 steals from the Warriors' 29 turnovers on the day.
Next Tuesday, the Warriors will be back in action on the road as they travel to McMinnville for an NCAA DIII matchup with Linfield University (1-0) at 5pm in Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
Follow Corban Athletics:
Facebook l Twitter l Instagram l YouTube l Email
