Wednesday, December 20, 2023
by Thomas Lal

PORTLAND, Ore. –  Alaska Anchorage women’s basketball capped off 2023 as the final team of the year to win GNAC Team of the Week honors after taking a pair of victories on the road in California.

The Seawolves notched a pair of wins against CCAA opponents to earn the selection and improve their overall record to 6-5. They took their first win of the week 60-46 over Stanislaus State on Sunday and followed that up with a dominant 71-51 victory over San Francisco State on Tuesday. The two victories extended the Seawolves’ win streak to four games, their longest of the season so far.

“Our ladies have been working very hard this season, both on and off the court,” head coach Ryan McCarthy said. “Our growth has been a combination of buy in to our culture and getting healthy. This was the second week we had 10 healthy bodies for practice and it paid off.”

Alaska Anchorage outscored Stanislaus State in every quarter en route to victory on Sunday with a defensive effort that saw the team rack up 13 steals and three blocks. Junior guard Jazzpher Evans was one of three Seawolves to snag three steals in the game and one of two players to lead the team with 13 points while going 4 for 5 from the field and a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Junior guard Senya Rabouin also knocked down 13 points against the Warriors to go along with four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Junior forward Nessa Walsh was arguably the best defensive player for Alaska Anchorage on Sunday, leading all players with eight rebounds while also adding three steals. Walsh also chipped in offensively, adding seven points and one assist while shooting 3 for 5 from the field.

It was another impressive performance for the Seawolves on Tuesday as they shot 48.1% from the field on the way to a 20-point victory. Rabouin led the way for UAA once again, notching 14 points to go with eight assists, two rebounds and a steal while shooting 50% from the field. She was one of four Seawolves to put up double-digit points as junior Tori Hollingshead finished with 12  while sophomore guard Elaina Mack and junior guard Ja’Niah Alexander both finished with 11 points.

Junior guard Eva Pearson was one of the top rebounding players for Alaska Anchorage against the Gators, finishing with nine boards to go along with three steals and three points. Hollingshead was another key player on the boards for UAA, also finishing with nine rebounds, including six offensive boards.

Alaska Anchorage now enters the mandatory winter break and will not be in action again until the new year. The Seawolves will resume GNAC play on Thursday, Jan. 4 by hosting Western Washington before facing Simon Fraser on Saturday, Jan. 6.