Feb. 21, 2008
Box Score
FAIRBANKS, AK- For over 33 minutes at the Patty Center on Thursday night, Alaska more than held their own against the visiting Seattle Redhawks.
Unfortunately for the Nanooks, one cold spell midway through the second half proved the difference in the game. The Blue and Gold would be held scoreless for over seven minutes, as the visiting Redhawks used an 18-4 run to take control of the game.
Alaska would not go quietly, however, making things interesting by hitting four three-pointers in the final minute of the game to whittle a 14-point deficit all the way down to just three. Time would run out on the Nanooks' hot hand, though, allowing Seattle to escape with a 62-58 victory.
"I told the guys that maybe a different call on my behalf, another rebound or another made basket on their behalf, and we win the ball game: it came down to that." head coach Clemon Johnson said afterwards. "It came down to that. For some reason, a sense of urgency came out in us tonight, and [our guys] felt like they had a chance to win the ball game: they played very well down the stretch."
Colin Matteson would lead the Nanooks with 19 points, while Mike Titus kicked in 14 points as well, boosting him over the 700-point mark for his four-year Alaska career. Keven Campbell would dish out five assists, while Travis Pew would record a career-high eight rebounds.
Seattle's Ricky Berry would led his team with 12 points, while Michael Wright also contributed 11 to the Redhawks.
Though five spots may separate the two teams in the GNAC standings, the difference did not show in an uptempo first period, as the Nanooks got out to a bright start in front of their home fans. Matteson looked particularly sharp early, showing some strong moves in the post to earn an old-fashioned three-point play.
A three-pointer from Titus, followed by a slick bounce pass from Begojevic to Matteson for an easy two would give the Nanooks their biggest lead of the half at 16-9. The Nanooks would shoot 44 percent from the floor
Seattle would answer back, however, reclaiming the lead through a Chris Gweth three from the corner. Travis Welt would then take advantage of confusion between two Alaska players to snag a loose ball for an uncontested lay-in. Despite a 22-11 rebounding advantage for the Blue and Gold, the Redhawks would run into the locker rooms with a 30-29 lead.
That advantage would last exactly 53 seconds into the second half, however, as a Mladen Begojevic three pushed the Nanooks back in front. The two teams would then spend much of the second half trading blows. Berry's shot from downtown was quickly answered by a three-point play from Titus: the senior captain hanging in the air to hit a difficult, left-handed circus shot.
From there, however, the Nanooks went cold, digging themselves into too big of a hole as their late heroics came up just short.
Alaska will look to carry its intensity and energy over to Saturday night, as Montana State Billings comes to town for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
