ELLENSBURG, Washington – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team defeated the Central Washington University Wildcats, 78-60. This win brings the Nanooks to 6-10 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
 
Alaska came out in attack-mode early, going on a 14-7 run that lasted until the 12:56 mark and put them up, 17-10. The team would later go on a 12-6 run that put them back up seven, 34-27, with 3:28 remaining in the half. The Nanooks ended the half with two unanswered jumpers from Spencer Sweet to find themselves up seven, 39-32. The team's solid play on both ends of the floor allowed them to hold the lead for almost the entire first half.
 
After the break, the 'Nooks continued to dominate their opposition. Central Washington would reclaim the lead once, 43-42, at the 13:57 mark, but Alaska would immediately respond with nine unanswered points fueled entirely by Shadeed Shabazz. That would be the Wildcats last grab at the lead as the Nanooks would own the rest of the second half. Alaska went on a 12-5 run late in the half and held the lead, 72-58, with a minute left in the game. Markel Banks and Shadeed Shabazz would capitalize at the free-throw line and the team would come out with an 18-point road win, 78-60, against Central Washington.
 
Shadeed Shabazz led the Nanooks with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and seven steals. Behind him, Spencer Sweet racked up 17 points on an efficient 4-6 from the three-point line. Markel Banks also had a solid night, shooting 5-8 from the field and 6-6 from the free-throw line for a total of 16 points.
 
The team went 27-62 from the field, 8-23 from deep, and 16-20 from the free throw line. They were also great in transition scoring 21 fast break points and 23 points off turnovers.
 
The Nanooks will be back on the road again next week facing in-state rival Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 7 P.M. AKST.
 
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.