A 9-1 Seattle University run midway through the first half spelled doom for the Nanooks as the University of Alaska Fairbanks dropped a 68-60 decision at SU in women's basketball action Saturday night.

The loss dropped the Nanooks to 6-10 on the year and 2-6 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while SU improved to 7-9 overall and 3-4 in conference action.

UAF jumped out to an early lead based on some fine shooting from Valerie Hartman and Adrienne Taalak. But SU came back and after the Redhawks fell behind by seven in the first eight minutes of the game, Nikki Pewitt scored seven straight points to cap off a 9-1 Seattle run and give the Redhawks their first lead of the game, 16-15 with 10 minutes left in the half. Seattle closed the period with a 14-2 run to go up 35-23 at halftime.

he Redhawks extended their lead to as much as 18 in the second half and held a double-digit lead until Nanook senior Cecilia Chan hit a jumper with 4:34 left to bring the Nanooks to within nine. Chan hit a pair of free throws with 54 seconds left, but the Redhawks made their last four free throws and went 7-for-10 from the free-throw line in the final 51 seconds to keep UAF from getting any closer.

Hartman shot the lights out and led all scorers with 20 points, including 14 in the second half to help the Nanooks pull within striking distance late in the game. Taalak chipped in 19 points, five rebounds and two steals. Chan finished with seven points and five boards.

Pewitt finished with 18 points and seven rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. Jade White added 17 points and seven rebounds in the victory. Leah Welton had eight points and two rebounds.

The Nanooks have a week off before playing host Saturday, January 31, to arch rival Alaska Anchorage. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. in the Patty Center.

For tickets to the game, call the UAF ticket office at 474-5977.

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