FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Senior Travante Williams made the most of his first game back in his home state, as the senior transfer scored a game –high 22 points to lead the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team to a 96-77 victory over Hawai'i Pacific in the first night of the GCI GNAC/PacWest Crossover.
Williams, who was playing in his first game with the Nanooks after transferring in from Adams State, collected a game-best 22 points, as he was one of five Alaska players to score double figures on the night. The Anchorage, Alaska hit six of his 10 shots on the night, which included a 4-of-5 effort from behind the arc. Williams also added five assists and collected two steals in the victory.
Alaska shot nearly 60 percent from the field, as the Nanooks hit 59.6% in the 19-point victory over Hawai'i Pacific. Alaska was especially deadly from behind the arc, as Mick Durham's team shot 63.6%, led by Williams four.
"I'm excited and pleased with how we played tonight," Durham expressed after the win. "I thought our defensive presence was good tonight. We have a little bit of a different team than we've had here in years past. We can pressure a little bit, extend the defense a little more, and I think that really sets the tone for our team."
Alaska's defensive pressure forced the Sharks into 15 turnovers on the night. Junior Bangaly Kaba collected three steals, as he helped the Nanooks collect 10 overall on the night.
Kaba also was an offensive force on the night, as he collected 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting on the night. The Houston, Texas native barely missed out on his first career double-double for Alaska by collecting a team-best nine boards in the win. Four of the five Alaska players with double-digit scoring were making their Nanook debut, as Neal Chavez scored 15, Zach Pederson scored 11 to join Williams and Kaba in double figures. All-GNAC preseason selection Almir Hadzisehovic also scored 13 points to round out the double-figure scoring for Durham's bunch.
Joe Slocum, another All-GNAC preseason selection, also made his return for Alaska tonight after sitting out the 2014-15 season with a redshirt. Slocum scored nine points a tied Williams for the team lead in assist with five.
The Nanooks controlled the game from the opening tip, as they held a lead in the game for nearly the entire 40 minutes. Alaska led by as 22 points early in the second half, before settling for the 19-point victory.
Alaska will conclude the 2015 GCI GNAC/PacWest Crossover tomorrow night with a matchup against Chaminade. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter.
