WOU's Leada Berkey Set GNAC Record in Loss

Alaska-Fairbanks pulls away from WOU women, 71-59.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Western Oregon’s Leada Berkey rattled home 33 points but the Wolves would need more than that on Saturday afternoon to defeat Alaska Fairbanks.

The Nanooks topped WOU 71-59 on Saturday at the Patty Center to improve to 9-11 overall and 4-5 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Western Oregon dropped to 3-17 overall and 2-7 in league play.

Berkey’s point total exceeded 30 for the sixth time this season, setting a new GNAC record.

The previous mark of five belonged to Berkey and UAF’s Adrienne Taalak (2003-04).

The junior from Amity also had five rebounds and five steals.

But the Wolves had only one other player in double figures, point guard Brittany MacGregor’s 12.

MacGregor nailed four of eight three-pointers to account for all of her points.

The Nanooks owned the rebound battle, pulling down 48 to WOU’s 29.

Alaska rolled out to a 27-14 lead in the first half, threatening to make the contest a blowout early.

But the Wolves promptly went on a 15-0 run to take a 29-27 lead.

Nine of those points came on a trio of treys by MacGregor.

The two clubs then traded baskets, and the hosts went into the locker room with a 33-31 lead at the half.

There were eight lead changes in the game overall, and the Wolves held their last margin at 46-45 midway through the second half.

But UAF then went on a 9-0 run and would never trail again.

Cristina Bruketta led Alaska with 25 points, hitting six of ten three-point attempts.

Kari Reabold added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Nanooks.

Western Oregon will return home for just one game next week, hosting Northwest Nazarene on Thursday.

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