FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Valkyries basketball team fell to the University of Alaska Fairbanks by the final of 63-33 during day two of the McKinley Bank North Star Invitational on Friday evening.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Converse 33, Alaska Fairbanks 63
Records: Converse (1-7), Alaska Fairbanks (5-3)
Location: Alaska Airlines Court, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Sierra Davenport and Bhrianna Jackson led the Valkyries with six points each, while Davenport hauled in a career-high nine rebounds.
- Converse was able to force 17 Nanooks turnovers, including eight steals.
- The Valkyries shot 11-of-61 from the floor (18%) and 9-for-21 (42.9%) from the line.
- Alaska Fairbanks outrebounded Converse by a margin of 48-35.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Hill made a layup six seconds into the contest, giving Converse the early lead. However, the Nanooks outscored the Valkyries 7-2 over the next two-plus minutes, building a 7-4 advantage. Lindsey Rogers knotted the score at 7-all with an old-fashioned three-point play, but a jumper by UAF gave the Nanooks a 9-7 lead after one.
Second Quarter
Alaska Fairbanks hit back-to-back threes followed by a layup, tallying the first eight points of the second quarter, ballooning its lead to double-digits (17-7) with 6:08 remaining in the opening half. That lead continued to extend as Converse tallied only three free throws during the quarter, while Alaska Fairbanks totaled 20 points overall, taking a 29-10 lead into the break.
Third Quarter
Ashley Sides knocked down a three to begin the third, trimming the deficit to 29-13, but the Nanooks continued to hit shots from behind the arc, ripping off a run of 14-3 to take a commanding 43-16 lead. Converse started to see the basket a bit better over the next three minutes, earning baskets from Jackson and Alliee Pattillo, but the Nanooks took the 47-21 score into the final period.
Fourth Quarter
Alaska Fairbanks continued to maintain its sizeable lead in the fourth, going up by as many as 34 (61-27) with two minutes remaining in the game. Converse was able to reel off six in a row behind baskets from Tori Henderson and Davenport, but it was not enough as UAF took the 63-33 win.
UP NEXT
Converse will return to the court tomorrow afternoon, concluding the McKinley Bank North Star Invitational, facing Chadron St. Tipoff for that contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST.