University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Alaska men's basketball team will try to snap a losing streak and head into the holidays with a victory Thursday when they host Northland International University in a non-conference game at the Patty Center.
 
The Nanooks (4-4) are looking to break a three-game losing streak that dates back to Nov. 29. That run comes on the heels of a four straight wins in November that included a defense of their title in the GCI Alaska Invitational. The Nanooks' average margin of defeat during their losing streak has been 13.3 points per game, including a 20-point, 96-76 loss in their last game on Dec. 7 at Alaska Anchorage.
 
Alaska's path back on the winning track will begin on the offensive end, where they have averaged 71.5 points per game – eighth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The defensive side of the ball has been mostly taken care of. The Nanooks are tied for the best scoring defense in the conference, holding opponents to 68.8 points per game. Junior guard Joe Slocum (San Francisco/Communication) leads all conference players with 2.3 steals a game.
 
Four players have averaged double-digit scoring for the Nanooks so far. Senior guard Ronnie Baker (Vallejo, Calif./Communication) has started in all eight games this season and averaged 17.5 points (5th in GNAC) to go with 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest. Senior forward Andrew Kelly (Gilbert, Ariz./Justice) has been the team's top rebounder with 7.6 boards a game, accompanied by 12.3 points a night.
 
Senior center Sergej Pucar (Belgrade, Serbia/Business Administration) (11.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and Slocum (11.4 ppg, 4.8 assists per game) have each started in seven of eight games and contributed to the Nanooks' offensive attack.
 
Alaska has posted a 13-10 record in December over the past six seasons, including the Dec. 7 defeat at Alaska Anchorage. Last season the Nanooks were 2-0 during the last month of the year, posting victories over Montana State Billings and Multnomah University.
 
Game #9: Northland International at Alaska – Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. (AKST)
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The Pioneers (4-10) suffered a 149-70 loss at Alaska Anchorage Monday. They face the Seawolves again Tuesday before traveling north to face the Nanooks. Northland International entered its road trip to Alaska having gone 2-2 in its previous four games, including a 69-54 win over Moody Bible Institute in its final game before the trip on Dec. 7.
 
Micah Baines has been the Pioneers' top scorer this season, averaging 18.6 points per game entering Monday at Alaska Anchorage. Through the season's first 13 games he shot a team-leading 32.4 percent from beyond the 3-point line and also dished a team-best 3.0 assists per game. Anthony Lewis entered the week as Northland International's best rebounder with 6.7 boards a game. Opponents shot 50.7 percent against the Pioneers through 13 games.