NCAA West Regional Quarterfinal No. 3 Recap
By Cole Brower
Last Second Lay-Up Lifts Alaska Anchorage Past Northwest Nazarene
Alaska Anchorage braved a comeback attempt from Northwest Nazarene in the final seconds with a buzzer-beating layup from Yazmeen Goo to win 65-63.
The Seawolves jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the first quarter, and, after a short burst of Northwest Nazarene offense, put together a 8-0 run, to give themselves a 14-4 lead. The Crusaders would not be outdone however, using a 10-2 run of their own to bring the score within one point going into the second quarter.
The teams went back and forth in the second quarter. Everytime Alaska Anchorage pulled away, the Crusaders would answer and close the gap. In the final seconds of the half, Marina Valles put Northwest Nazarene ahead 41-39.
The Seawolves put together another 8-0 run to open the second half, regaining the lead, and a relatively low-scoring third quarter ended with Alaska Anchorage ahead by seven.
Northwest Nazarene refused to give up, battling back and erasing the deficit near the end of the game. Lexi Tubbs tied the game with just over two minutes left, putting pressure on the Seawolves. With under a minute left and down by three points, Avery Albrecht drove into the lane, drew contact, and finished to tie the game once more. With 10 seconds left, the Crusaders sent Yazmeen Goo to the line. She missed both free throws, but Sala Langi was able to come up with the rebound to give Goo a second chance. This time, she drove to the basket and finished with the clock about to expire to give the Seawolves the win.
Northwest Nazarene was led offensively by Avery Albrecht, who had 18 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Raquel Jardine finished with 10 points, and Danielle Jardine finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Alaska Anchorage's leading scorer was Hannah Wandersee, who had 21 points and nine rebounds. Yazmeen Goo finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Kian McNair finished with 11 points and five assists.
Alaska Anchorage will play either Humboldt State University or Azusa Pacific University in the semifinal round at 7:30 p.m.
