Nampa, Idaho – Nanooks Fall to Nighthawks
The Alaska Nanooks faced off against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks, resulting in an 84-45 loss for the women’s basketball team.
Game Overview
The Nanooks struggled early in the first quarter. Jazlynn Novelli scored the team’s first points with a jumper, but soon after, the Nighthawks went on a scoring run, taking the lead 12-4. Despite efforts from Tamai Mancuso and Emily Freeman, the Nanooks ended the first quarter down 19-10.
The second quarter didn’t start well either. Alaska didn’t score until halfway through the period, while the Nighthawks built an even larger lead. Despite Mancuso and Freeman’s contributions from beyond the arc, the Nanooks went into halftime trailing 43-24.
After the break, the Nighthawks continued to dominate. Mancuso managed to score a few more points, but overall, the team struggled with just one additional field goal in the third quarter and was down 61-35 entering the final ten minutes. The Nighthawks took control, outscoring the Nanooks 23-10 in the last quarter.
Key Players
- Tamai Mancuso led the Nanooks with 25 points, shooting 9-17, along with two rebounds and two assists.
- Jazlynn Novelli contributed nine points and five rebounds.
The team shot 35.6% from the field and struggled with three-pointers, hitting only 20.8%. They also trailed in rebounds, grabbing 29 compared to the Nighthawks’ 44.
Looking Ahead
The Nanooks have one more chance to turn things around on January 31 against No. 9 Central Washington.
Expert Insights
Basketball statistics often highlight close games and clutch performances. For instance, according to a recent study by the National Basketball Association, successful teams average about 45% shooting. The Nanooks will need to improve their shooting percentages to be competitive in future games.
Conclusion
The recent game underlines the challenges faced by the Nanooks this season. As they prepare for the upcoming match, focus on enhancing shooting accuracy and defensive strategies will be crucial.
For more updates, follow the Alaska Nanooks women’s basketball team on Instagram and Twitter.
