ANCHORAGE (May 15) – Alaska Anchorage women's basketball coach Matt Thune has added a talented trio from the transfer portal, announcing Friday that Kyla Momberg, Jayden Smallwood and Bridgette Tello have signed scholarship agreements to play for the Seawolves.

"Kyla, Jayden and Bridgette are all tough-minded players who will fit well in our system and bring instant experience and leadership to the court," said Thune, who led UAA to a 16-11 mark in his first season.

A 5-8 guard, Momberg comes north after a strong junior season at Great Northwest Athletic Conference rival Montana State Billings, where she helped the Yellowjackets to an NCAA berth by winning the GNAC Tournament. The Box Elder, Mont., native averaged 9.2 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting .785 on free throws. She scored double figures 17 times, including a season-high 26 points and the game-winning basket in a 92-91 double-overtime win over UAA. Momberg spent her first three collegiate seasons, including a redshirt campaign, at NAIA program Montana Western.

"We are excited to add Kyla and her veteran experience to our program this season," Thune said. "She's no stranger to us after helping lead Billings to a conference tournament championship this past year, and having an enormous game against us here in Anchorage. Kyla is a tough, physical guard who can score at all three levels, and I love the way she attacks the rim. She plays with a selfless mentality, and her vision and feel for the game will elevate the players around her within our system."

Meanwhile, Smallwood and Tello are both transfers from fellow NCAA Div. II program Texas A&M-International, where they were the leading scorers for the Dustdevils last season.

Smallwood, a 5-7 guard, was an honorable mention All-Lone Star Conference selection as a junior with 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game. The Tulsa, Okla., native scored double figures 11 times in 17 appearances, posting a season-high 20 points in a 57-55 win over St. Mary's, and stuffing the stat sheet in wins over Western New Mexico (16 pts/5 rebs/6 assts/3 stls) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (16 pts/10 rebs/6 assts). Prior to her D-II career, Smallwood spent three seasons at junior college program Collin (Texas) College, and starred in high school as an all-district honoree at Tulsa's McKinney North High School.

"The addition of Jayden gives our guard group a dynamic edge heading into this season," Thune said. "She's an effective scorer who competes just as hard on the defensive end as she does offensively. Jayden doesn't shy away from physicality, rather she embraces it. Having already been teammates with Bridgette, and with family roots in Anchorage, the transition into our program and community should be a natural one for her. Our fans are going to love the toughness and grit she brings every night."

Meanwhile, Tello brings two seasons of eligibility to UAA, coming off a redshirt sophomore campaign that saw her post 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game. The 5-9 guard shot 75 percent on free throws and scored double figures nine times, notching a career-high 28 points in a 57-49 win over UT Permian Basin, and produced double-doubles against Western New Mexico and West Texas A&M. The Laredo, Texas, native played in every game as a true freshman in 2023-24, averaging 7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals for a TAMIU squad that finished 25-7. Tello also enjoyed a legendary prep career at United South High School, leading her team to three straight district titles and becoming the first player from her school to earn an invitation to the prestigious TGCA 5-6A All-Star Game.

"Bridgette is a long, versatile guard who can play multiple positions in our system," Thune said. "She can create off the bounce and hit shots beyond the arc. Coming from the Lone Star Conference, she's accustomed to competing against some of the top teams in the country every night. She has a natural instinct for rebounding and consistently outworks opponents, even when facing bigger players. Her energy and versatility will immediately strengthen our roster, and she adds another experienced veteran who understands what it takes to win at a high level."

The transfer trio joins incoming freshmen Savannah Kroon (5-9, G, Wasilla, Alaska/WHS) and Kinzley Larsen (5-9, G, Rigby, Idaho/RHS) to bring UAA's current recruiting class to five. Additionally, the Seawolves will feature three returners from the 2025-26 roster – senior forward Cheyann Ashworth, junior wing Sheridan Liggett and sophomore guard Kiara Stone – who have yet to see game action as Seawolves, but are expected to make major contributions.