Senya Rabouin
After getting swept by Western Washington in each of the last two years, the UAA women’s basketball team returned the favor this season.
The Seawolves earned bonus points, too – beating the Vikings both times when they were nationally ranked.
It happened a month ago in Anchorage and it happened again Saturday night in Bellingham, Wash., where UAA defeated the 13th-ranked Division II team 77-69 at Carver Gym.
Guard Senya Rabouin of Phoenix, Ariz., was remarkable as the 5-foot-5 junior transfer delivered a 28-point, 5-assist, 5-steal stat line that was just what the doctor ordered after UAA lost 79-72 in overtime Thursday at Simon Fraser.
The Seawolves have traditionally been strong on the road under 12th-year coach Ryan McCarthy, who has this season’s team 6-3 away from home, tied for the most road wins in the GNAC.
Saturday’s win was McCarthy’s 15th over a nationally ranked team since the Peters Creek product took over in 2012.
Ryan McCarthy coaches ’em up during a timeout. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Rabouin was money from the jump as she poured in 14 of UAA’s first 25 points on her way to her fourth 20-point conference game. She finished 5-of-7 from 3-point range, including one triple to put UAA ahead 29-25 and another to make it 38-30.
The Seawolves (13-7) pushed their lead to as many as 14 points at 48-34 in the third quarter and led 62-49 early in the fourth quarter before Western Washington made its move, slicing the deficit down to 65-59 with 4:56 to play.
Enter Rabouin, who converted her second and-1 of the game and then assisted on Vishe’ Rabb’s 3 to get the lead back to double figures.
Kate Robertson was UAA’s second-leading scorer with 14 points and along with Rabouin drained all six free throws in the final 48 seconds.
Rabouin is playing like an All-GNAC performer as she leads the league in assists (4.3) and ranks second in steals (2.4) and 11th in scoring (11.6).
King Cove’s Elaina Mack started at guard and logged 25 minutes. The former Alaska Class 1A Player of the Year scored three points on 1-of-4 shooting from downtown.
It was Mack’s career-high 43rd 3-pointer of the season and 70th in 44 career games.
Saturday’s game kicked off the second half of the 18-game league schedule. The top six teams in the final league standings advance to the GNAC Tournament, March 7-9 in Ellensburg, Wash.
GNAC Women’s Basketball
| LEAGUE | TEAM | OVERALL |
| 10-1 | Montana State-Billings | 19-4 |
| 9-2 | Western Washington | 17-4 |
| 7-4 | Alaska Anchorage | 13-7 |
| 5-6 | Central Washington | 14-9 |
| 5-6 | Simon Fraser | 13-11 |
| 5-6 | Northwest Nazarene | 8-10 |
| 5-6 | Seattle Pacific | 8-13 |
| 3-7 | Western Oregon | 10-11 |
| 3-7 | Saint Martin’s | 5-12 |
| 2-9 | Alaska Fairbanks | 4-17 |
