Tuesday, February 5, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – GNAC Insider returned Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. (PST) with a special crossover episode to start the month of February.

Leading off the show was Alaska men's basketball head coach Greg Sparling. This is Sparling's first season in Fairbanks, coming to the Nanooks after spending 24 years at Central Washington. 

His team is fresh off a big road win over the weekend, going down to Portland to top Concordia, 63-61. He has five players averaging in double figures to lead an explosive offensive attack, paced by guard Tymoryae Glover (13.6 points per game).

It's a big week for Sparling's team as it prepares to host first-place Saint Martin's on Thursday night at the Patty Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Over on the track, Central Washington finds itself gearing up for the GNAC Championships, which will be held next week in Nampa. The Wildcats still have a little bit of business to take care of this weekend in Seattle, where they will join six other GNAC teams at the Husky Classic.

Joining the show to preview the weeks ahead and recap what has been a thrilling year thus far was senior HarLee Ortega. The reigning GNAC Women's Field Athlete of the Week, Ortega is fresh off a victory in the women's pentathlon at the WSU Cougar Indoor last weekend. 

GNAC Insider was also joined by Saint Martin's softball outfielder Lauren Diuco. Diuco is in her senior season in Lacey and is off to a hot start in 2019, hitting .500 with three runs and one RBI. The 2-1 Saints are off this week in preparations for a trip to Tucson for the Cactus Classic, which runs Feb. 15-17.