ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The 16th-ranked Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team (10-1, 1-0 GNAC) heads up to the great white north to dive back into GNAC play this weekend. They first travel to the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks (0-10, 0-2 GNAC) on Thursday before wrapping up their time in Alaska on Saturday at the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (8-3, 0-2 GNAC).
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Thursday, January 1
#16 Central Washington at Alaska Fairbanks
6:15 p.m. PST
Alaska Airlines Gymnasium
Fairbanks, Alaska
WATCH ($):
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
TICKETS:
HERE
Saturday, January 3
#16 Central Washington at Alaska Anchorage
6:15 p.m. PST
Alaska Airlines Center
Anchorage, Alaska
WATCH ($):
HERE
LIVE STATS:
HERE
TICKETS:
HERE
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON:
"We are happy to be back from break and have a great challenge to kick off the new year with two conference games in Alaska. Both teams have a new coaching staff and present new challenges for us on both sides of the ball. We are excited for the opportunity."
LAST OUTING:
The Wildcats earned a 112-28 victory over the Walla Walla Wolves to conclude nonconference action. They saw 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and four steals from
Asher Cai.
Capri Sims had 20 points, six rebounds, two assists, and three steals while
Sierra Eddie added 17 points, two rebounds, seven assists, and a steal off the bench.
Kayla Thornton tacked on 11 points, one rebounds, two assists, and five steals to round out the double-figure scorers for CWU. WWU was led by Jaylo Bello and Brooklyn Coe who each had eight points. Bello added one rebounds and a steal.
CWU finished the game shooting 63.4 percent from the floor, 46.7 percent from three, and 66.7 percent at the charity stripe. Walla Walla shot 20.8 percent from the floor, 13.8 percent from three, and 33.3 percent at the free-throw line. CWU owned the boards by a 50-20 margin.
SCOUTING THE NANOOKS:
Alaska Fairbanks is 0-10 on the season and 0-2 in GNAC play. They opened their season falling at home to Hawaii Hilo and The Master's by scores of 98-76 and 104-72. They then got swept at the Westminster Tournament, falling first to the hosting Griffins by a 99-74 score before succeeding to the Colorado Mesa Mavericks by a 102-53 score. UAF fell in two games in the Midwest, first at Minnesota State Moorhead by a 112-63 score before falling at St. Cloud State by a 101-53 score. In their GNAC openers the Nanooks fell at Western Oregon by an 82-24 score before a 74-37 setback at St. Martin's. In their final nonconference roadtrip the 'Nooks fell 82-50 at Azusa Pacific before falling 75-49 at Biola.
The 'Nooks are averaging 55.1 points per game compared to the 92.9 points they're giving up to their opponents. They're averaging 31.5 percent from the floor, 25.3 percent from three, and 58.8 percent at the free-throw line. Opponents are averaging 48.2 percent from the floor, 33.7 percent from three, and 66.2 percent at the charity stripe. Opponents are outrebounding the Nanooks by a 51-31.8 margin per game. UAF averages nine assists per game compared to the 23 opponents average. The 'Nooks turn the ball over 23.2 times per game while forcing 15.8 turnovers of their opponents. Of those 15.8 turnovers, 8.4 come as steals for the Nanooks while opponents average 14.1 steals per contest. UAF earns 2.4 blocks per game while opponents get 3.8 blocks per game.
Jazlynn Novelli and Tamai Mancuso are the leading scorers for UAF at 14 and 13.4 points per game, respectfully. Ashlyn Waggoner grabs the most rebounds with 5.5 per game and is tied with Amelia Brady at six blocks. Alycia Shelley has contributed the most assists with 18 this season. Genevieve Velasquez has the most steals so far this season with 14.
SCOUTING THE SEAWOLVES:
Alaska Anchorage is 8-3 this season with an 0-2 GNAC record. They began the season with a pair of 107-82 and 100-57 victories over the Northwest Eagles. They then traveled to Hawaii and earned a pair of victories, first at Hawaii Pacific by an 72-49 score, then at Chaminade by an 88-59 score. They then took down Hawaii Hilo by a 59-43 score at home. In exhibition play in the annual ASRC/ConocoPhillips Great Alaska Shootout, they lost to St. Thomas 77-60 before falling to Bowling Green by a narrow 67-63 score. They bounced back for a pair of home victories over UC Merced by scores of 93-80 and 100-58. Their first setback came at St. Martin's by a 69-60 score before falling at Western Oregon by a 77-69 score. Over the holiday break they fell at Oregon State in an exhibition by a 69-53 score, but in their return trip to Hawaii they split. They first defeated Colorado School of Mines by a 76-55 score before falling to #23 Ferris State by a 65-59 score.
The Seawolves average 80.3 points per game and give up 63.1 points per game to their opponents. They average 41.6 percent from the floor, 30.5 percent from three, and 67.6 percent from the free-throw line. Their opponents average 36 percent from the floor, 23.6 percent from three, and 68.2 percent at the free-throw line. They outrebound their opponents by a 47.8-38.8 margin. They contribute 27 assists per game compared to the 14.5 their opponents muster. They only contribute 13.8 turnovers a contest while forcing their opponents to commit 16.9 per game. Of those 16.9 turnover, nine come as steals while their opponents earn 6.8 steals a game. The Seawolves average 2.6 blocks per game while opponents average 1.7 blocks.
UAA has four different athletes averaging double-figures led by Elaina Mack at 19.4 points per game. Mahalia Harrison isn't far behind at 18.6 points per game while Mylee Anderson and Kimberly Carrada Sanchez are at 12.5 and 10.3 points per game, respectfully. Lillee Duffin grabs a whopping 12.5 rebounds per contest while Carrada Sanchez has dished out 47 assists to lead UAA. Carrada Sanchez is tied with Harrison with 21 steals while Mack leads the team with blocks at eight.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats will return home for their home GNAC-opening weekend. They first see the Simon Fraser Red Leafs (7-6, 2-0 GNAC) on Thursday, January 8 at 5:15 p.m. before hosting their arch-rival, the Western Washington Vikings (10-3, 2-0 GNAC) on Saturday, January 10 at 5:00 p.m. with all the action happening inside Nicholson Arena.
