Seawolves fall to Nighthawks in Idaho, 80-64

Nampa, Idaho (Jan. 31) - Mahaila Harrison had 15 points and Lillee Duffin grabbed 13 rebounds in a return to her home state, but the UAA women's basketball team could never get its footing Saturday in an 80-64 loss to Northwest Nazarene at the Johnson Sports Center.

The Seawolves (12-8, 4-7 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) also got 13 points from senior guard Taylor Searcey and 11 points from sophomore guard Kimberly Carrada Sanchez as they settled for a season split with NNU.

The Nighthawks (13-6, 8-3) were led by 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from Trinidie Nichols as the hosts outshot UAA .478 (32-67) to .324 (22-68) overall and .348 (8-23) to .083 (2-24) from three-point range.

"NNU likes to get you sped up with its pressure and we did not handle it well in the first half," said UAA head coach Matt Thune. "We had a tough day today, but we will move on and get refocused for UAF next week."

Coming off a 60-50 upset of No. 9 Central Washington on Thursday, UAA was not able to carry any momentum into Saturday's contest. The Nighthawks started with a 7-0 run and led 22-13 after one quarter, getting three-pointers from four different players.

The Seawolves got eight points apiece from Searcey and Carrada Sanchez in the first 20 minutes, making all 11 of their free throws to stay within 38-28 at halftime.

Harrison scored twice to cut it to an eight-point deficit in the third quarter, but the visitors could get no closer.

UAA outrebounded NNU 44-38 and shot a season-high 90 percent (18-20) on free throws, but was hurt by 20 turnovers.

Freshman guard Mylee Anderson had eight points, while senior forward Tia Allen - a First Team All-GNAC outside hitter on the UAA volleyball team - made her collegiate basketball debut with three points and two rebounds.

The Seawolves get a six-day break before traveling to Alaska Fairbanks for a 1 p.m. Saturday tip. Find live links at GoSeawolves.com.