BELLINGHAM, Wash. ? Senior guard Kalhie Quinones scored 12 points, including three game-clinching free throws in the last 24 seconds, to help 9th-ranked Alaska Anchorage avoid the upset with a 52-48 women's basketball win over Western Washington at Carver Gymnasium on Thursday.

The Seawolves (18-2, 7-1 GNAC) also got 10 points and 13 rebounds from junior center Rebecca Kielpinski and 11 points from senior Maria Nilsson to claim their fourth straight victory.

The Vikings (4-16, 1-7) were led by 10 points apiece from reserve guards Kristin Schramm and Marelle Moehrle as they nearly rallied all the way back from an early 20-4 deficit.

UAA held the hosts to 2-of-23 shooting in the first half, but WWU stayed close by making 11 of 12 from the free throw line, and it was just 26-16 at halftime.

The Seawolves appeared to pull away midway through the second half when Limor Pelleg's three-pointer made it 38-19, however the visitors would connect on only three field goals in the last 10 minutes.

WWU clawed within single digits at the 3-minute mark, then had a chance to tie when it took possession down 49-46 with 45 seconds left. The Seawolf defense then answered with a huge stop, forcing WWU leading scorer Amanda Dunbar into a turnover.

Quinones nailed two free throws with 24 seconds showing to make it 51-46, and Gabby Wade quickly sank a layup for the Vikings. Stepping to the line with 10 seconds, Quinones made the second of two charities to account for the final margin.

The Seawolves, who also got six points apiece from guards Nikki Aden and Elisha Harris, came into the game as the No. 5-ranked team in the NCAA Div. II West Region poll.

UAA travels Saturday to Ellensburg, Wash., to face Central Washington (10-6, 2-6) at 4 p.m. AST.