FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Every member of the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team was featured in the scoring column on Friday night, as the Nanooks captured a, 113-63, victory over Northwest Indian at the Alaska Airlines Court.
All 12 players who suited up for the Nanooks (7-2) on Friday scored four or more points against the Eagles (0-14). Junior Bangaly Kaba tallied a team-best 20 points in just 16 minutes of play, as the forward hit nine of his 12 free field goal attempts. Kaba was one of six double-digit scorers on the night for Alaska. Almir Hadzisehovic, Brandon Davis and Zach Pederson each recorded 14 points, while Joe Slocum – 12 points – and Alex Duncan – 11 points – rounded out the double-figure scoring for the Nanooks.
The 14-point outing for Pederson was a career high, while Hadzisehovic ripped down a career-best 10 rebounds to give the big Serbian his first double-double in a Nanooks uniform.
The 113 points scored by Alaska on Friday marks the second time this season they've eclipsed the 100-point plateau. They previously scored a season-best 112 points in a win over Chaminade on the second day of the season. Tonight's point total marks the most points scored by a Nanooks team since totaling 121 points against Simon Fraser on Jan. 3 of last season.
"I thought tonight was good," said head coach Mick Durham. "We got everyone in, were able to spread the minutes around and get everyone points. We played well offensively, defensively and we shared the ball well. This is what these type of games are designed for. We had a little fun and played together as a team."
Alaska used its size advantage over the Eagles to score 70 points in the paint. The Nanooks also outscored NWIC 22-2 in second chance points, as Alaska grabbed 15 offensive rebounds. Tonight's performance on the offensive glass marked the third straight game that the Nanooks have collected 15-or-more offensive caroms. The performance in the paint led to a 58.4 shooting percentage from the field on Friday. In all, Alaska outrebounded NWIC, 55-30. The 55 caroms were a team-best this season.
Four players also had four or more assists on the night, as Duncan tied his career-high in the assist department by handing out a game-best six helpers. Senior Travante Williams also passed out five assists, as did Davis, while Slocum collected four of his own. As a team, Alaska collected 26 assists on the night, which ties a season-high in the category.
A pair of redshirt freshman also scored their first career points for Alaska against Northwest Indian, as Derritt Scarver scored five points, while Fairbanks native Kyle Carlson tallied four. The duo helped the Nanooks to a 48-13 advantage in points off the bench. The 48 bench points were a season-best for Alaska.
The Nanooks led from beginning to end against the Eagles. They led by 21 at the half and by as many as 50 in the second half.
The two teams will be back in action tomorrow night, as Alaska wraps up its four-game home stand with a 7 p.m. tip-off against the Northwest Indian Coach Durham will be going for his 300th-career win on Saturday night, as he looks to become just the fourth coach in either NCAA Division I or Division II to accomplish the feat this year.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter.
