Alaska Anchorage opened its season with a 74-52 loss to No. 2 Colorado Mesa in Honolulu, undone by a 22-4 first-quarter deficit. Junior transfer Bridgette Tello led the Seawolves with 13 points and five rebounds in her debut, while Mylee Anderson added 10. Colorado Mesa’s Mason Rowland powered the win with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

By the Numbers
  • Final score: Colorado Mesa 74, Alaska Anchorage 52.
  • First-quarter score: Colorado Mesa 28, Alaska Anchorage 10.
  • Mason Rowland: 32 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals.
  • Bridgette Tello: 13 points and 5 rebounds.
Yes, But

UAA’s slow start put it in a deep hole, but the Seawolves responded in the second quarter and went into halftime trailing 39-29. They stayed within reach in the third, though they couldn’t cut the deficit to single digits before Colorado Mesa pulled away.

State of Play
  • The loss was the season opener for both teams.
  • UAA has two games remaining at the Hoops In Hawaii Tip-Off Classic.
What's Next

The Seawolves face host Chaminade on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time.

Bottom Line

UAA showed it could compete after settling in, but it will need a more disciplined start and better ball security to turn that response into a win.