Friday, January 11, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific improved to 4-1 in the GNAC Thursday earning conference home victories to move within one-half game of GNAC co-leaders Simon Fraser and Western Washington in the GNAC standings.

The Clan and Vikings, who square off Saturday at Bellingham in a 5:15 p.m. contest, are both 4-0 in conference games.

Other games on Saturday’s schedule include Alaska Anchorage at Seattle Pacific, Alaska Fairbanks at Montana State Billings, Western Oregon at Central Washington and Saint Martin’s at Northwest Nazarene.

Bobbi Knudsen scored 22 points and also had nine rebounds and seven assists leading MSUB to a 78-64 home win against Alaska Anchorage Thursday.

The victory was MSUB’s first against UAA since the Yellowjackets joined the conference prior to the 2007-08 season, snapping a 10-game losing streak to the Seawolves.

MSUB (10-3 overall), which improved to 7-0 at home, also got 15 points from Kayleen Goggins.  Alaska Anchorage (7-5, 1-3), which lost its third straight, was led by Sasha King with 19 points.

Katie Benson, Suzanna Ohlsen and Aubree Callen all scored 18 points as Seattle Pacific (10-3,4-1) defeated Alaska Fairbanks (2-10, 0-4).  Benson earned a double-double hauling in 13 of SPU’s 60 rebounds as the Falcons controlled the backboards 60-35.  SPU’s total matched the fourth highest in GNAC history.

Alaska Fairbanks (2-10, 0-4) was led by Jacqueline Lovato with 19 points and nine rebounds.  Lovato made five of 11 three-point shots.

Northwest Nazarene and Saint Martin’s also earned wins Thursday.

The Crusaders (10-2, 2-2) defeated Western Oregon 78-59 as Chelsie Luke led the way with 19 points.  Megan Hingston netted 17 points and Taylor Simmons had 15 points.

Melissa Fowler led Western Oregon (6-9, 1-4) with 16 points and seven rebounds.  Chantel Divilbiss, who made five of six shots including three of three treys, scored 14 points.

Chelsea Haskey had 17 points and 10 rebounds as Saint Martin’s (9-6, 2-3) earned a 62-56 road win at Central Washington.  Jordyn Richardson contributed 13 points.

Jessica VanDyke paced Central Washington (5-7, 0-4) with 23 points.  The Wildcats, who trailed 37-25 at halftime, also got 14 points from Leslie Stillar.