University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Alaska men's basketball team heads out on its longest road trip of the season this week, starting a four-game Great Northwest Athletic Conference stretch away from the Patty Center on Thursday at Saint Martin's and continuing Saturday at Western Oregon.
 
It is the second straight road trip the Nanooks (10-5, 5-2 GNAC) have kicked off while carrying a three-game winning streak. Last time out on the road, the streak was halted by GNAC leader Seattle Pacific in a 66-46 loss. Alaska's first chance to extend its streak this week will be televised live Thursday on ROOT SPORTS Northwest. Tip-off at Saint Martin's is scheduled for 8 p.m. AKST.
 
Alaska has won six of its last seven games dating back to Dec. 19, including a home sweep last week against Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene. The Nanooks are the only remaining GNAC team that has yet to lose at home this season. The team's 8-0 start at the Patty Center is its best home start in 11 years.
 
The home winning streak extends to 10 straight going back to last season. Alaska's 10-game home winning streak is the 20th double-digit home win streak in GNAC history.  It's the second by the Nanooks, who had an 11-game streak between Nov. 7, 2002 and Feb. 13, 2003.
 
The Nanooks shot over 50 percent Saturday against Northwest Nazarene for just the second time this season, but for the second time in the last three games. It was the fifth time they outshot their opponent, a situation in which they are 5-0 on the year.
 
Defense has been key this season for Alaska. The Nanooks have the GNAC's second-best scoring defense at 68.0 points per game allowed, which also ranks 39th in the NCAA. They are 7-1 this season when allowing less than 70 points, and carry the same record when scoring more than 70 themselves.
 
Senior center Sergej Pucar (Belgrade, Serbia/Business Administration) has averaged 17.0 ppg in Alaska's last five contests after averaging 11.8 through the season's first 10 games. He has been Alaska's leading scorer in three of the last five games.
 
Senior forward Andrew Kelly (Gilbert, Ariz./Justice) was a big key for Alaska last week, scoring 30 points to lead the Nanooks.  Kelly, who made 11 of 14 field goal attempts, also had 16 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and three blocks.
 
Game #16: Alaska at Saint Martin's – Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. (AKST)
Important Links:  LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO   LIVE AUDIO
The Saints (6-9, 3-4 GNAC) earned a 79-73 win over travel partner Western Oregon Saturday to pull into a four-way tie for sixth place in the GNAC – the last spot that qualifies for the GNAC Tournament at season's end. This week marks the Saints' first home games since Jan. 4. Saint Martin's has split its last four games, a stretch that includes an upset win over GNAC leader Seattle Pacific.
 
The Saints have three players averaging in double-figure scoring. Ryan Rogers leads the way with 15.1 ppg. He's also the team's leading rebounder with 5.7 boards per contest. SMU has the second-worst scoring offense in the GNAC (71.1 ppg), but has the fourth-best scoring defense at 74.9 ppg allowed. That still makes out for a -3.8 scoring margin – second-worst in the GNAC. Evan Coulter leads the Saints in several categories, including assists (53), 3-point percentage (47.5 percent) and free-throw percentage (86.0 percent).
 
Game #17: Alaska at Western Oregon – Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. (AKST)
Important Links:   LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO
The Wolves (10-7, 3-4 GNAC) have lost three in a row after winning six straight from Dec. 7 to Jan. 4. After starting the conference season 3-1, they are now 3-4 and in a four-way tie for sixth place – the last spot that qualifies for the GNAC Tournament at the end of the season.
 
Devon Alexander is second in the GNAC in steals per game with 1.9. The Wolves have 164 steals this season to their opponents' 105, and are the top steals team in the conference at 9.6 per game. Rodney Webster is the Wolves' leading scorer with 15.6 points per game, ranked 10th in the conference. Andy Avgi is the team's top rebounder with 5.5 boards per game and second-leading scorer with 13.3 ppg.