Nov. 19, 2006
Box Score
Fairbanks, AK - For the third straight game the Alaska Nanooks had a chance to win the game in the closing seconds and had victory slip through their hands in a 69-66 loss to Southeast Missouri State Sunday evening. With Alaska trailing 67-66, the Redhawks missed two one-and-one front ends at the line but the Nanooks had two turnovers and failed to get a shot up.
The final chance for the Nanooks came when senior Jushay Rockett (Long Beach, CA) rebounded a David Johnson free throw miss. Rockett started to outlet the ball but hesitated and lost the ball in Redhawk territory. SEMO's Brandon Foust recovered the loose ball and slammed home the final bucket at the buzzer.
Foust led the Redhawks with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Terrick Willoughby and Paul Paradoski added 12 and 11 points, respectively. The win allowed Southeast Missouri to avoid a last place finish in the tournament.
Rockett finished with game-highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds for Alaska. Junior guard Kenny Barker chipped in 17 points and five assists, while sophomore Colin Matteson (Lynnwood, WA) had 11 points.
The Redhawks took control of the game in the second half. Southeast Missouri eliminated a 39-30 halftime lead for Alaska with a 15-3 run in the first 5:30 of the second half. Alaska was plagued by five turnovers and missed shots early in the shot clock.
The Nanooks came out of the gates strong with a 13-3 lead less than five minutes in. Matteson scored eight points in the opening flurry. Alaska continued to build its lead and Matteson's three with 8:02 left in the half gave them their biggest lead at 31-18.
Alaska will break for the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to the Patty Center for a two-game series with Golden State Baptist. Alaska will face Golden State Nov. 30 at 7:00 p.m. AST and again Dec. 2 at 2:00 p.m. AST.
