Box Score
FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Emmanuel Jenkins' three-pointer with .03 seconds remaining lifted the Nanooks to a 80-79 victory Saturday night at the tail end of a Valentines Day and Breast Cancer Awareness double-header at the Patty Center.
"I told Jenkins in the beginning of the season that in the closing seconds we were going to put the ball in his hands, and he would have to make the right decision," said Coach Clemon Johnson. "He shot it tonight, and thankfully it found the bottom of the net."
Jenkins led the charge in the second half pouring in 24 of his game high 29 points for a come-from-behind victory.
Coach Johnson used the word "sleep-walking" to describe his team's performance in the first half. "I told them that they were sleep-walking, but hey, we were only down six points with them [Montana State-Billings] shooting the heck out of the ball." Johnson stated. "At that point they decided to turn it on, and Jenkins led the way."
With Jon Moe being held scoreless in the first half, and Jenkins having just five points, it was Nashorn Maynard that kept the Nanooks close. Maynard had 12 points and six rebounds, as Alaska trailed 37-31 at the break.
Moe got his chances in the second half and ended the game with 10 points, but Maynard and Jenkins took over. Maynard recorded yet another double-double with 20 points and 11 boards. However, his presence was felt on both ends of the court. Along with his six defensive rebounds, Maynard had three blocks and four steals in 38 minutes.
Jenkins was 8-16 in the second half, but no field goal was bigger than his fifth three which proved the be the game winner with .03 seconds left.
With MSUB clinging to a two-point lead with six seconds left, the Yellowjacket's Mario Burns had a chance to ice the game at the line with a 1-and-1. Burns missed the front end which fell to senior Colin Matteson. Matteson found Jenkins who crossed half court, pulled up from the top of the key, and banked the three for an 80-79 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory.
Alaska revenged a 118-112 double-overtime loss to the Yellowjackets on Jan. 17 in Billings. In the two games against the Nanooks, MSUB had no answer for Jenkins as he had 53 points combined.
The Nanooks improve to 6-13 (3-7 GNAC) on the season, and will hit the road for four straight where they have only won one game this season. MSUB falls to 9-13 overall, and 4-7 in GNAC action. The Nanooks get a shot at the conference leaders next Thursday night as they face off with Western Washington. The Vikings defeated the Blue and Gold 99-92 on Feb. 7 in Fairbanks.
