Alaska Women Open GNAC Play With 75-57 Loss To Seattle :: Redhawks ride rebounding advantage to victory

Jan. 3, 2008

FAIRBANKS, AK- Alaska could not knock the unbeaten Seattle Redhawks off their perch atop the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings, as the visitors cruised to a comfortable 75-57 victory Thursday night at the Patty Center. Senior co-captain Kari Reabold recorded a game-high 20 points for the Blue and Gold, but Seattle got 18 points apiece from Chelsie Morrison and Laina Sobczak. Sobczak also grabbed 10 rebounds to complete her double-double on the night.

Neither team enjoyed a particularly good shooting night from the floor, as Seattle hit just 40 percent of their shots, and Alaska just 30.8 percent. The Redhawks did enjoy a substantial advantage on the boards, however, outrebounding the Nanooks 57-34. The visitors grabbed 25 offensive boards as well, leading to a number of second and third chances that would prove to be Alaska's downfall.

"It's frustrating," head coach Lynne Andrew said. "The things that got us to 7-1 in the preseason, we didn't do tonight, and that's the defensive end and rebounding. They just killed us on the boards: usually we own the boards. I think we are a lot better than we showed tonight."

After an early three-point play from Sheena Brown, Seattle quickly jumped out to an early 11-3 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish. Alaska managed to cut the deficit to three at halftime, however, but the Redhawks opened the second half with a 9-0 run. The Patty Center crowd tried to urge their team into a spirited comeback, but the Nanooks could only get within seven as Seattle shot 50 percent in the second half to put the game away.

Cristina Bruketta and Nicole Bozek also scored in double-figures for the Nanooks, both recording 10 points on the night. Reabold, who shot a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line, and Joscelyn Shumate tied for the team-high in rebounds, grabbing seven apiece.

Seattle's Leah Stepovich, a Monroe High School graduate, drew plenty of applause from the Patty Center crowd on her return to Fairbanks, scoring two points and pulling down three rebounds on the night.

The Nanooks resumes their GNAC schedule on Saturday, when they welcome Montana State Billings to town. Tip-off in that game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.