Box Score FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks hit 15 3-pointers throughout the game and were led by Anthony Reese and Kyle Tomlinson who headlined five Nanooks in double-figures as Alaska defeated visiting Montana State Billings, 87-65 on Saturday afternoon at the Patty Center.
Overall, the Nanooks shot 65.2% from beyond the three-point arc. Tomlinson had four of Alaska's 15 total 3-point field goals while Reese, Ashton Edwards, and Rashaad Allen each had three. Edwards ended the game with 13 points, along with Alex Duncan while Allen finished with 11.
"I thought we played really well offensively in the first half and then kept it going in the second," said head coach Mick Durham. "We were very unselfish going forward and played well defensive. I'm very pleased for our guys."
The Nanooks did play unselfish and smart basketball. As a team, the Nanooks recorded 19 assists and just three turnovers, while only committing 13 fouls. On the defensive side, Alaska forced 11 turnovers and had seven steals, leading to 15 points.
Alaska's win snapped a nine-game losing streak, including several close-run games, and coach Durham was happy that his team was able to earn the win they deserved.
"It's nice to get these guys a win," he stated, "because they have done a nice job of staying the course and working hard. They were rewarded tonight."
Alaska's tally of 15 made 3-pointer was the fourth highest in its history since joining the GNAC. On two occasions, the Nanooks have hit 19 threes in one game and have also made 17 3-point field goals in a single game. Tonight's win was the most efficient for the Nanooks this season, however.
"We just kept making shots, it's that simple" said Allen. "As a team we got into a groove from beyond the arc, it wasn't just one guy we all had it going tonight."
That offensive groove translated to better defense, according to Edwards, who said "playing that well offensively kept our energy up on the defensive side of the ball. We stuck to our principals on both sides of the ball and that got us where we wanted to be."
Alaska will now take to the road for games against Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington before returning home for the last two games of the season against Saint Martin's and Western Oregon.
