FAIRBANKS, ALASKA – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball lost, 81-75, to the Saint Martin's University Saints. This loss brings the team to 8-12 overall and 7-5 in conference.
 
"I think we know that we should've had it, and we let one slip." Alex Sommerfield laments on the team's heartbreaking loss.
 
Koby Huerta hit a three right after the tip to get Alaska started. The two teams would then spend the majority of the first half trading baskets with the Nanooks maintaining the lead, until the 4:44 mark when the 'Nooks went on an 8-0 run to push their lead to 10, 29-19, with 2:16 left in the half. A great pass from Jalen McCullough set up Markel Banks for a layup at the buzzer and the team held a, 34-23, lead over the Saints.
 
Quinn Daugharty hit a jumper to get the Nanooks going in the second half. St. Martin's then found their footing and cut the deficit to three points with 15:54 remaining in the half. The Nanooks maintained a slim lead until the 9:45 mark when they went on a 10-0 run, capped off by a monstrous dunk from Keshaun Howard, to push the lead to 12, 63-51, with 7:56 remaining in the half. The Saints kept their composure, got a few long balls to fall and tied the game, 68-68, with 3:40 remaining. Shadeed Shabazz made a layup to give Alaska back the lead and the opposition responded with a 7-0 run to take back the lead 75-70 with 39 seconds remaining. Shabazz hit a late three-pointer to make it a one-possession game but from there St. Martin's capitalized at the free throw line and stole a road win, 81-75.
 
Shadeed Shabazz led Alaska with 29 points and seven steals. Behind him, Alex Sommerfield had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The team went 25-61 from the field, 6-25 from deep, and 19-24 at the free-throw line.
 
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.