UAA women’s basketball bounces back from heartbreak to take 3rd in Great Alaska Shootout

After letting a 20-point lead slip away in an overtime loss to Troy in Friday’s semifinal at the Great Alaska Shootout, the UAA women’s basketball team was fiercely determined not to let history repeat itself on Saturday.

UAA bounced back in prime form, defeating Division I team Vermont 68-52 in the third place game of the tournament. UAA head coach Ryan McCarthy said despite the loss on Friday, UAA played well over the weekend.

“Troy would be able to win a national championship at the Division II level so the fact that we were able to go out there and compete with those guys and kind of jump on them early, we learned a lot from the second half,” UAA head coach Ryan McCarthy said.

He admitted that his team got a little timid the night before after leading by 20 points over the Trojans at halftime and they started playing outside themselves by doing things they don’t usually do.

“They turned up the pressure a little bit, and we just don’t see that at our level and there’s no way to prepare for that,” McCarthy said. “I’m really proud of the ladies tonight because (Vermont) was the first team that committed to the Shootout this year when we started scheduling teams and we were really proud that we got them.”

The game began with the two teams trading buckets to an 8-8 tie before UAA went on a 14-6 run to close out the first quarter, seize control of the game and never looked back. Vermont was able to make it a nine-point game at halftime and keep it within six by the end of the third but got outscored 13-11 in the fourth as the Seawolves secured a 68-52 victory.

“After losing to a team like Troy last night, it was really hard for us, so it was important for us to bounce back and win today. And I think that we did that really well,” senior guard transfer Emilia Long said. “We didn’t let yesterday affect our game today.”

McCarthy described the Shootout as the “backbone of Alaska basketball for more than 40 years” and is grateful for the sponsorship of ASRC and ConocoPhillips for helping bring it back and keep it going.

“Without their support, this wouldn’t be possible,” he said. “To be able to do this for women’s basketball in Alaska and we get to host one of the premier events in the country is super special.”

The tournament offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for visiting teams and even select members of the University of Alaska’s Division II women’s basketball team as it gives them a chance to test their mettle against Division I level competition.

“Obviously this was a big tournament for us and we were super excited coming into this,” Long said. “I had never played against a Division I team before so playing these two games was very cool and special.”

Coming away with at least one win on their home court in the premier tournament that they were hosting was important for the Seawolves.

“We didn’t win any (Shootout) games here last year so this was really important for us,” McCarthy said. “I think Vermont was better than what UAB was (last year). This was an important win for us, and I told our ladies that are seniors that this will be the last time in your career that you’ll face a Division I team.”

Long continued her strong start to the season by being one of four Seawolves to reach double figures in scoring with a game-high 18 to go along with a team-leading five assists and three steals.

“Emilia Long is a stud,” McCarthy said. “She is full-throttle all the time and sometimes I have to settle her down a little bit but I’d rather have to do that than tell her to get going. She has been a program-changer for us just in terms of a point guard that can get it and go get us buckets on the defensive end and turn that into offense.”

The tournament’s title game between Troy and North Dakota State was won by the Trojans in lopsided fashion as they bested the Bison 86-69. Troy had four players reach double figures in scoring and two record double-doubles led by Zay Dyer with 13 points and 12 boards followed Emma Imevbore with 12 points and 11 boards.

2024 ASRC/ConocoPhillips Great Alaska Shootout

All-Tournament Team

Zay Dyer, Troy

Avery Koenen, North Dakota State

Abby Krzewinski, North Dakota State

Emilia Long, Alaska Anchorage

Ashlyn Rean, Alaska Anchorage

Most Outstanding Player: Shaulana Wagner, Troy