The woman had been talking on a cell phone as she walked through the woods between the University of Alaska Anchorage and campus housing, which abuts Providence Alaska Medical Center, he said.
She told police the man grabbed her from behind about 3:30 p.m. She turned around and fought the man off after suffering minor injuries and sought help. The motive remained unknown.
The attacker was described as a white man in his 40s, between 140 and 150 pounds and wearing a blue sweater or sweatshirt with a blue ball cap. He also had a strong body odor, though it was not known if he was homeless, Pittman said.
Anyone with information on the attack should call campus police at 786-1120.
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