NAMPA, Idaho – The Nanooks men's basketball team fell to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks on Thursday, Jan. 16, dropping them to 5-10, 4-3 GNAC.

Alaska pushed across a spread-offense in the first half, trailing only 31-33 after the first 20 minutes. Spencer Sweet was the early scoring-leader with nine points while shooting 3-4 from the three point line. Alex Sommerfield trailed him with six points, connecting on two three-pointers. One of the big differences was in the rebound category. NNU grabbed 25 first half boards compared to Alaska's 15.

Early into the game, the Nanooks pushed out to a 13-9 lead after Sommerfield hit one of his two first half three-pointers. After extending their lead to 24-19, the Nighthawks made their push. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the half and the game tied at 31-31, NNU dished the ball down low to George Reidy who flushed the dunk down, giving Nazarene a two point advantage at the half.

Right out of the gates, the Nighthawks pushed their lead out to six at 36-42. This small run did not phase the 'Nooks however, as a quick jumper from Koby Huerta and Shadeed Shabazz allowed the Nanooks to get back within two in just a minute. The 'Nooks hung around for the next seven minutes, but with just under seven minutes remaining, the NNU offense put Alaska away by going on a 2-12 run and taking a 15 point lead.

In the final five minutes the Nanooks only managed to get within five before NNU pulled away again, grabbing the eight point victory.

Shadeed Shabazz and Spencer Sweet lit up the box score again for Alaska as Shabazz led the way with his fourth 30 point game and Sweet put up an additional 16 points while shooting 4-6 from three point range. While the Nanooks managed to score from the perimeter, it was points in the paint that proved to be a key factor in NNU winning the ballgame. Combined for the game, Northwest Nazarene outscored the 'Nooks in the paint, 14-54.

The Nanooks stay on the road and head to Ellensburg, Wash. to face off with the Central Washington Wildcats on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 6:15 p.m. AKT. The Wildcats grabbed an impressive 84-50 victory over the UAA Seawolves on Thursday night, assisted by five Wildcats scoring in double-digits.

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