FAIRBANKS/ANCHORAGE, Alas. – Following a pair of exhibition contests, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team will head up north to play a pair of games in Alaska against Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage to open the regular season.


First up on Friday night will be a matchup with Alaska Fairbanks. The Nanooks have only played a game against their alumnae that took place on Nov. 2. Alaska Fairbanks went 5-21 a season ago and played one RMAC team in Colorado Mines which they opened the season with a year ago and the Orediggers came away with the 87-73 victory. The Nanooks feature 10 newcomers and five returners that includes a pair of starters from last season. They were picked to finished 10^th in the 2013-14 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.


Alaska Fairbanks and WNMU will battle on Friday evening at 5:15 p.m. Alaska Standard Time (7:15 p.m. Mountain) with live stats and video available that will be posted on wnmumustangs.com


The following night the Lady Mustangs will remain in Alaska to play at Alaska Anchorage on Saturday. The Seawolves played one exhibition game at Kansas State falling in a close game, 73-65, on Nov. 1. Alaska Anchorage went 17-10 last year and faced RMAC teams Colorado Mines, falling, 80-74, before defeating Regis twice, 85-76 and 70-67. The Seawolves return five letterwinners, including three starters from last year's squad and are picked to finish sixth in the GNAC.


Alaska Anchorage and WNMU will tipoff Saturday evening at 4 p.m. Alaska Standard Time (6 p.m. Mountain) with live stats, video and audio available for the game that will be posted on wnmumustangs.com


WNMU played a pair of exhibition contests against New Mexico State and New Mexico. RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) led the Lady Mustangs in both games scoring 10 against New Mexico State and nine against New Mexico.