Nanooks Open Season With A Bang, Roll Over Merrimack 90-72 :: Big game from Brown; Reabold sees Alaska through to tournament final

Nov. 23, 2007

FAIRBANKS, AK - Alaska got their 2007-08 season as well as their Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational run off to a dream start, as they ran over Merrimack College 90-72. The win moves the Nanooks (1-0) to the tournament final for the second straight year, where they will meet Chico State as they try to claim their first ever North Star Invitational trophy.

Alaska got a fantastic game from junior Sheena Brown, who poured in 25 points (15 of which came in the second half) in taking home Toyota Player of the Game honors. Brown worked tirelessly throughout the game, recording six rebounds and four assists as well.

Senior Kari Reabold was also outstanding for the Blue and Gold, coming up one rebound short of opening the season with a double-double. Reabold finished the game with a full scoreline: 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.

But it was the team's defensive effort that really swung the game in the Nanooks favor. Clinging to just a six-point lead in the first half, Alaska ratcheted up the pressure on the Warriors: harassing the Merrimack ball-handlers and hustling after every lose ball. Freshman Anna Simmons was a particular menace, registering three steals as the Nanooks recorded 17 points of turnovers in the first half alone.

"Our keys were defense, rebounding and then offense: that's our philosophy right now and I definitely felt the team bought into it," said head coach Lynne Andrew. "We really got off to a good start defensively, being really aggressive, and that in turn made our offense start clicking. It was just a total team effort."

Merrimack (2-1) had four players score in double-figures, led by 15 points from Amanda Shannon. Fairbanks native Casey Miller had nine points before fouling out late in the second half.

The Nanooks return to action in the Patty Center Saturday, where they will meet Chico State in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational championship game. Tip-off in that game will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m., following the conclusion of the Fort Valley State/Merrimack clash earlier in the evening.