RENO, Nev. -- Senior transfer Travante Williams turned in a 17-point, 10-rebound performance in his unofficial Alaska Nanooks debut, but it would not be enough to lift the men's basketball team to victory as they fell 84-53 at NCAA Division I Nevada in exhibition action on Friday night.
Williams, who comes to the Nanooks from Adams State, made quite the statement in his first game live game action with Alaska, as the Anchorage native collected a double-double in the first of three-straight exhibition games for head coach Mick Durham's team. Williams hit a team-best three three-point field goals in the loss and was the lone Nanook to score double-figures, as he tallied 17 points in 22 minutes of play.
Alaska could not get into an offensive rhythm against the Wolf Pack, as they shot just 23.3% from the field, which included and 5-of-15 effort from behind the arc. The Nanooks did find success at the charity stripe in their first exhibition contest, as they hit 14-of-20 at the line, as Williams and junior Bangaly Kaba each went 4-for-5 to lead the team.
Kaba, who was also making his Alaska debut, chipped in eight points and collected five rebounds in the loss. All-Great Northwest Athletic preseason team selection Almir Hadzisehovic added seven rebounds to go along with five points, as the trio of Williams, Kaba and Hadzisehovic helped Alaska collect 43 caroms on the night.
For Nevada, they were led by Cameron Oliver's 19-point performance off the bench, while D.J. Fenner was one point of off Oliver's pace with 18 points A.J. West added a double-double with 10 points and a game-best 13 rebounds. The Wolf Pack hit 45.9% from the field and collected 52 total rebounds in the win.
Alaska continues its three-game, four-day trip tomorrow afternoon, as they'll take on BYU. Tip-off from Provo, Utah is set for 5:30 p.m. AKST. The game will be broadcasted live on BYU TV.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter.