SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team lost 78-90 to Dixie State. This loss brings the team to 1-5 on the season.
 
The Nanooks came out hot, shooting 53% from the field, 50% from the three-point line and a perfect 3-3 from the charity stripe. The problem was Dixie State shot 61% from the field and this gave them a 41-46 lead at the half. Dason Youngblood, Frank Staine, and Andre Wilson all led the Trailblazers in scoring with eight at the half. Shadeed Shabazz led Alaska in scoring with 14, Mawich Kachjaani led in rebounds with five and the assist category was led by Spencer Sweet and Shadeed Shabazz who both had two at the half.
 
After the break, the 'Nooks were more aggressive and as a result spend more time at the free-throw line. The team capitalized on this and went 15-17 at the free-throw line but shot 28% from the field and 14% from behind the arc in the second half. This led to a 78-90 loss for Alaska. The team was led in scoring by Shadeed Shabazz who went 9-18 from the field and 8-8 from the free-throw line for 28 points. Mawich Kachjaani led in rebounds with 11 and Koby Huerta led in assists with three. The Trailblazers were led in scoring by Dason Youngblood who had 27 points.
 
Head Coach Greg Sparling had this to say about the loss and his team, "The scores may not show it, but we are getting better. I believe we played two undefeated teams this weekend, one on their home floor and one in their state. I thought we did some great things. I think we've had a very challenging schedule which is going to make us better in January and February. Our guys battled tonight, we just got to get over the hump. Give credit to Dixie State they're heading division one next year, they're a very good team. You never like to lose but I'm proud of the growth of this team."
 
The Nanooks will be down in Anchorage next weekend at the Alaska Airlines Center playing in the Seawolf Thanksgiving Classic against Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech.
 
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks Men's Basketball team page on Facebook.