FAIRBANKS, Alaska — An icy wind whipped into the face of Amy Achesinski as she commanded a team of sled dogs to mush.

“It was awesome,” said Achesinski, a senior on the Mercyhurst College women's basketball team who is more accustomed to driving the lane than driving dogs. “The dogs are so enthusiastic because it's what they live for.”

What Achesinski lives for is basketball. The 6-foot-1 forward and Butler graduate is well-known in Western Pennsylvania for her smooth moves in the post — a spin to the right, drop step and layup here; a pump fake and soft jumper there.

But word of her play has spread to the snow-covered plains and mountains of Alaska after a dominating showing in the Mount McKinley Bank North Star Invitational Tournament in Fairbanks last week.

She averaged 20.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in three games, which earned Achesinski a share of the PSAC athlete of the week award with Kayla Smith of California (Pa.) University.

In an overtime win against host University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Achesinski scored eight of her team's 10 points in the extra period.

“For four years, she's been a force for us,” said Mercyhurst coach Deanna Richard. “She's just a real leader for us and a great person.”

Mercyhurst won two of three games in the tournament.

It's only loss was to Fort Lewis (Colo.), which is ranked eighth in the latest NCAA Division II women's basketball poll.

“I love good competition,” Achesinski said. “It's what I live for. I think playing good teams just makes me play a better game because I know it's time to step up and go all out.”

Achesinski has been going all out for the Lakers since the first day she stepped onto campus and into a program that was coming off a 6-22 season and heading nowhere.

The team won one more game during Achesinski's freshman season, reached 10 wins her sophomore year and was 12-5 last season before losing their final nine games and missing out on the PSAC playoffs.

“(Our goal) this year, like every other year, is just to improve on last year's record and make the playoffs,” Achesinski said. “There is a different chemistry to our team this year, and you can see it when people step up — not just me, but the other captains and even underclassmen.”

Achesinski, though, doesn't mind putting the team on her shoulders.

She is averaging 17 points and 7.2 rebounds per game early in the season.

For Achesinski, this is her last chance to do what she set out to do when she arrived as a freshman: lead the program to a winning season and the playoffs.

“I don't want to have any regrets,” Achesinski said. “I want to play every game like it's my last and, at the end of the season, know that me and my team played to the best of our abilities each and every time we stepped onto the court.”

Richard, who made Achesinski her top recruiting target when she took over the program four years ago, doesn't like to think of the day when Achesinski isn't roaming the Mercyhurst court.

“It's going to be a sad day when she leaves our program,” the coach said.

Achesinski doesn't like to think about it either. A bittersweet smile comes across her face when she thinks about the end of her time on the court.

Even though her playing days will be over next season, Achesinski plans to stay with the team as a graduate assistant coach.

“It's hard to believe I've come this far, especially looking back at all the time, blood, sweet and tears I've devoted to this sport, Achesinski said. “I'm definitely going to miss basketball. It's a huge part of who I am.”