Nov. 11, 2006
Box Score
Orlando, FL - The Alaska Nanooks jumped to a big lead and then held off North Georgia College & State University 96-93 at Disney's Division II Tip-Off Classic Saturday. Senior forward Jushay Rockett (Long Beach, CA) hit the game-winning free throws but it was his defense and key rebound in the final 23 seconds that allowed Alaska (4-0) to hang on against the Saints (0-2).
"We didn't play our best game by any means," Alaska head coach Frank Ostanik said. "But we're happy with any win."
Rockett was named Toyota Player of the Game after scoring 27 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Junior guards Kenny Barker (San Diego, CA) and Mike Titus (Fairbanks, AK) chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively. Freshman guard Tyrome Flowers (Tacoma,WA) came off the bench with 10 points to round out the Nanooks double figure scorers.
Rockett's two from the stripe put the Nanooks up 78-76 in the final minute. Alaska would get the ball back with a chance to close the game but a turnover kept North Georgia in the hunt.
The Saints inbounded the ball to forward Jay Anderson, who went one-on-one with Rockett. Anderson's lay-up hit front iron and Rockett secured the rebound and sent a quick outlet to junior guard Barry Barnes, Jr. (Long Beach, CA). With two seconds left, Barnes hit 1-of-2 from the line to seal the win.
"Jushay's rebound won the game for us," Ostanik said.
The Rockett rebound was emblematic of the Nanooks' effort on the boards all game long. Alaska, who plays the 6-5 Rockett out of position at center, out-rebounded the bigger Saints 44-28 including an 18-9 advantage on the offensive end. Rocket grabbed nine rebounds, while the 6-3 Barker and the 6-2 Titus added seven and five, respectively.
"For a team lacking size, we've got some guys that go after it," Ostanik said. "Titus and Barker really attacked the glass and Jushay played like a seven-footer at times."
Alaska's relentlessness paid dividends in rebounds and trips to the free throw line, where they went 25-of-36. But the aggressive play also resulted in bad decisions, as the Nanooks lost the turnover battle to the Saints 20-14.
"We talk about winning three things: the glass, free throws and turnovers," Ostanik said. "We got two out of three, which was good enough."
The Saints were led by Dustin David, Xavier Trice and Buzz Wehunt with 12 points each.
The Nanooks face off Sunday with Division II powerhouse Southern Indiana, who is also 2-0 in Orlando. Ostanik said the Screaming Eagles, currently ranked No. 10 in the nation, are the equivalent of a Division I team.
"They've got so many weapons," Ostanik said. "We need our guys to step up big and and stay out of foul trouble."
The game between the Nanooks and the Screaming Eagles will tip at 12:30 p.m. AST and can be heard on KCBF 820 AM.
