FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team ended the 2015-16 preseason on a strong note, as they defeated Lincoln Christian University, 103-55, at the Alaska Airlines Court on Monday night.
Redshirt senior Joe Slocum made the most of his return to Alaska Airlines Court after sitting out the 2014-15 season, as the All-GNAC preseason team selection had a game-high 21 points. Slocum on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor in just 20 minutes of play. Slocum drained three of his four attempts from behind the arc on Monday night, as he helped the Nanooks shoot an even 48% from 3-point land.
"It felt really good being back in front of our fans," said Slocum. "I kind of had a rough road trip, which I think was because of nerves. But it felt great to be back here and get into some rhythm before we start the year for real on Friday."
Slocum was one of five Alaska players to score double figures against the Red Lions. Seniors Travante Williams and Isaac Ladines each had 11 points, while juniors Bangaly Kaba and Zach Pederson collected 10 points each. The balance scoring led to 28 assists on the night for the Nanooks, as Kaba dished out a team-best six assists, while junior Jalen Dupree handed out five. As a team, Alaska shot 51.9% from the field.
Head coach Mick Durham was hoping this game would be a way for his team to come out and get some early season jitters out of the way and get confrontable playing at home, and that is exactly what the head man got on Monday.
"We wanted to use this game to put somethings we learned about ourselves on the road trip into play," said the head coach. "I wanted us to come home and play relaxed and play together, so I think we got out of it what we wanted to. I'm pretty please, especially how we came out in the second half and really took over."
Alaska had a shutdown performance on the defensive side of the ball, as they collected 22 steals on the night and forced Lincoln Christian into 34 turnovers. The effort led to a 55-5 advantage in points off turnovers, as Williams led the team with six steals.
The Red Lions opened the game with a 5-0 lead, but it would be quickly erased after Slocum hit the first of his three 3-point field goals of the night. Slocum's three started a 21-7 run for the Nanooks, as they held a 17-point lead at the break. Alaska opened the second half on a 19-4 run to push its advantage to 32 points. The lead continued to grow for the Nanooks throughout the final frame to end their three-game, four-day stretch with a 48-point victory.
The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team will host to the 2015 GNAC/Pac West Crossover this Friday, as Alaska Anchorage, Chaminade and Hawai'i Pacific travel to Fairbanks. The Nanooks open play on Friday with Hawai'i Pacific before taking on the Silverswords on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. AKST. The Seawolves will take on the Chaminade at 3 p.m. on Friday and HPU at 5:15 on Saturday.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter.
