#13 UAA clamps down to win home opener

ANCHORAGE – Junior center Hanna Johansson had 13 points to lead a balanced offensive attack and the Alaska Anchorage women’s basketball team used a dominating defensive performance to race past New Mexico Highlands 73-39 in its home opener at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex on Friday night.

The Seawolves (3-1) also got 10 points apiece from senior wing Nikki Aden and junior forward Tijera Mathews as they forced 31 turnovers by the Cowgirls (2-1).

NMHU, from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, was led by eight points each from forward Briana Gholston and reserve Alysa Lopez.

The Seawolves, ranked No. 13 in the NCAA Div. II national poll, got off to a good start offensively but the visitors from Las Vegas, N.M., stayed close early, trailing just 12-10 with 13 minutes left in the first half.

UAA freshman Kylie Burns nailed a three-pointer on the UAA next possession, however, starting a 7-0 run, and the Seawolves clamped down to take a 38-18 lead into halftime.

The Seawolves began the second half with another 7-0 spurt and pushed their lead as high as 70-33 with two minutes left.

Aden, playing in her 100th career game, grabbed a career-high five steals, while Burns finished with a game-high four assists and no turnovers. Eight Seawolves totaled six points or more as sophomore Alysa Horn tallied nine points and six rebounds, and reserve forward Kaylie Robison had six points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks.

UAA outrebounded the Cowgirls 39-34 and did not allow a three-point basket in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

The same teams meet Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the WFSC.