Box Score FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders 75-73, in tonight's Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup. Despite a 15 point deficit with 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Alaska fought their way back to almost win the game after Adam Griffin rimmed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
"I'm extremely proud of these guys for coming back," Coach Mick Durham said of tonight's game. "We missed three free-throws at the end and still found a way to stay in the game. But like I told the guys, we can't focus on that last shot of the game. That game was won or lost within the first 30 minutes."
The Nanooks (5-11, 2-6 GNAC) were only trailing the Crusaders (8-10, 6-2 GNAC) by five points going into the second half. Alaska went 10-31 in the field for 32.3% while Northwest Nazarene went 11-27 for 40.7%.
"It's been an ongoing issue. We've been having a tough time at the half," Junior Ashton Edwards said about going into the second half. "Defensively, we were playing fine. We just couldn't get any offensive energy going our way, so you get drained and then have to claw your way back into the game."
Coach Durham agreed with Edwards, "We've had this situation before and I think it's because we lose confidence. When we aren't performing well offensively, I'll challenge them a little bit and we'll see some confidence come back. I think the most important parts of the game is the start and the start of the second half."
Junior Almir Hadzisehovic lead the Nanooks in points with 24 on nine baskets from the field, six free-throws, eight rebounds and one assist. Hadzisehovic logged the most minutes for the Nanooks at 33.
"He's really showing some consistency, especially with some good inside scoring," Coach Durham said about Hadzisehovic. "He's playing more minutes, going 24 and eight tonight was one of his best games."
Edwards combined for 19 points tonight, going 4-11 in the field, 3-11 in 3-pointers and making all eight free-throws. Adam Griffin helped the Nanooks totaling 11 points including four rebounds.
Erik Kinney and Aubrey Ball of Northwest Nazarene each had a 19 point game. Kinney going 5-9 in the field, 9-11 in free-throws and helped with eight rebounds. Ball 7-14 in the field and 3-7 in 3-pointers. Both recording 34 minutes of game time this evening.
The Nanooks continue GNAC play this upcoming Saturday, January 24th with another home game versus Central Washington.
"We're competing well. Saturday night will complete this first go-around of GNAC play, so this new team will have seen everyone already once," Coach Durham said the approaching game. "We can compete with anyone in the league on a given night. It's just about reminding this new group to believe, play together and finish games."
