Kielpinski helps 'Wolves escape Saints, 61-46

LACEY, Wash. ? The start of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play brought out the best in Alaska Anchorage senior Rebecca Kielpinski on Thursday as the two-time league player-of-the-year had 15 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 61-46 women's basketball victory over host Saint Martin's.

The nationally 2nd-ranked Seawolves (14-1, 1-0 GNAC) earned their 12th straight win thanks to a 19-0 run late in the first half. Saint Martin's crept within 48-44 midway through the second stanza, but UAA closed strong as junior Ruby Williams scored three straight baskets to thwart the Saints' charge.

Junior forward Nicci Miller had 10 points and six rebounds, while Williams finished with nine points for the Seawolves.

Saint Martin's (8-4, 0-1) got 13 points, nine rebounds and four steals from Dara Zack, but the home team was held to 32.2 percent shooting and outrebounded 43-32 by the taller Seawolves.

Kielpinski finished shooting 7 of 11 from the field and dished two assists while grabbing her 1000th career rebound in the first half. The Mandan, N.D., native now has 1,011 boards, leaving her just 72 short of the league record.

UAA also got a lift off the bench Thursday from sophomore guard Nikki Aden, who had eight points and a career-high four steals.

The Seawolves ? who are now tied for the second-longest win streak in program history ? are back in action Saturday (4:15 p.m. AST) when they take on Western Oregon (6-6, 1-0) in Monmouth, Ore.

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Players Mentioned

#54 Rebecca Kielpinski: C; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#25 Nikki Aden: G/F; 5' 8"; Freshman

#15 Ruby Williams: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#0 Nicci Miller: F; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#54 Rebecca Kielpinski
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: C

#25 Nikki Aden
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G/F

#15 Ruby Williams
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#0 Nicci Miller
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F