LACEY, Wash. – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team grabbed a big 2020 opener over the Saint Martin's Saints on Jan. 2 while on the road. With the win, the Nanooks improve to 4-7, 3-0 GNAC and are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the GNAC.

The Nanooks got out to a hot start in Lacey, shooting 54.55% from the field and 47.06% from beyond the arc. While the Saints put up 40.54% and 23.53% in the respective categories. Despite the big shooting percentage differences, the Saints kept close heading into the half as Alaska held a 46-37 lead over SMU.

Spencer Sweet got the scoring off for Alaska hitting a fast break three from the wing after a Shadeed Shabazz steal and pass generated the opportunity. The heavy hitting offense kept the foot on the gas early on, extending their lead to 18-6 after Sweet connected on back-to-back three pointers. After a media timeout on the floor, the Saints found some life and slowly crawled back into the game. After getting out to a 16 point lead, the Saints answered back with a 2-9 run, pulling back within nine points with just over five minutes remaining.

SMU came as close as six in the final minute of the first half before a long rebound turned into a fast break three pointer for Koby Huerta just before the buzzer, giving the 'Nooks a 46-37 lead at halftime.

The second half became a shootout as Saints guard, Alex Schumacher tried to will SMU back into the ballgame. After back-to-back buckets from Schumacher, the Saints were within only three before Kachjaani put a stop to the momentum swing with a jumper. The Nanooks and Saints played back-and-forth ball for the next couple minutes as Alaska held a five point advantage, 69-64, at the midway point of the second half.

Behind free throws from Shabazz and a three pointer from Alex Sommerfield, the 'Nooks extended their lead out 10 in just over a minute. Alaska kept the lead from this point out as Shabazz took over, scoring seven of his 30 in the last minute and a half of the game.

Shabazz led the way for the Nanooks with 30 points and four steals. Koby Huerta put up one of his most complete games of the season tallying 21 points on 7-12 shooting as he also grabbed five rebounds and had four assists. Three other 'Nooks checked into double-digits for points as Sweet put up 18, Sommerfield scored 17 and Kachjaani added 12 and 11 rebounds.

With the win, the Nanooks remain undefeated in GNAC play at 3-0 and get ready to take on the other undefeated team, the SPU Falcons on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 3:15 p.m. AKT in Seattle, Wash.

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