MONMOUTH, Ore. – A strong first-half start, four double-digit scorers, including Zach Pederson's double-double, were not enough for Alaska (12-14, 7-10 GNAC) to derail Western Oregon (14-11, 11-6 GNAC) on the road, falling 68-61.

Senior Zach Pederson nearly collected a double-double by halftime (11 pts, 9 rebs). Pederson ended the day with 15 points and 15 rebounds. It was also his second consecutive game recording a double-double.

The Nanooks led 29-20 at one point in the first half, but Western Oregon caught fire after the intermission, shooting 50% (15-of-30) in the second half. Forward Tanner Omlid led the Wolves with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

WOU also used its depth to lead the Nanooks with points off the bench, outscoring Alaska 26-7. Sophomore guard Malik Leaks was a key reserve, tallying a game-high 17 points for Western Oregon.

The second half saw deadlocks of 36-36 and 42-42 before the Wolves ran out to a 63-49 lead with just under six minutes to go. Alaska fought their way back with a 12-0 run to only trail by two points with a minute to go.

Western Oregon guard Demetrius Trammell made his only field of the game when he sank a three-pointer with 39 seconds left, giving the home team a 66-61 edge.

West Valley High School product Lorenzo Graham attempted a three-point shot to keep the comeback hopes alive, but the shot would not fall. The Nanooks were unable to hit a three-pointer in the second half.
     
The loss keeps Alaska one game back of Montana State Billings, who also lost on Thursday, for the sixth-and-final playoff spot for the GNAC Tournament with three games to play.

The Nanooks will look to rebound Saturday against Concordia at 7:15 p.m. AKST, a team the Nanooks defeated on home court, 83-75 Jan. 19.  

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks page on Facebook.