FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks were defeated, 94-52, by the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks. This loss brings the team to 10-14 overall and 9-7 in conference.
 
NNU took the lead early and Spencer Sweet finished a layup to give the Nanooks their first points of the night. From there, Alaska struggled to score while their opponents found success from behind-the-arc.  The Nighthawks went on an 11-0 run midway through the first half to give them a 21-point, 27-6, lead with just under 10 minutes left in the half. Alaska tried to stop the bleeding but just couldn't find their footing offensively, shooting only 31% from the field in the first half. Northwest Nazarene hit nine three-pointers in the first half and shot 52% from the field to give them the lead, 26-50, going into the half.
 
Coming out of the half, Alaska hit three consecutive three-pointers, two from Spencer Sweet and one from Koby Huerta, to trim the deficit to 21 points, 33-54. NNU responded with a 9-0 run to put them up 30 with 14 minutes left in regulation. From there, the Nighthawks continued to find success offensively and push their lead. At the 6:43 mark, they held their largest lead of the game of 45 points. The Nanooks fought hard but could get their shots to fall and NNU closed out the game defeating Alaska, 94-52.
 
Spencer Sweet led the Nanooks with 16 points and four steals. Alex Sommerfield went 4-8 from the field for nine points and Marcus Lee made the most of his 12 minutes with eight points. GNAC leading-scorer Shadeed Shabazz had a rare cold night, going 0-12 from the field and scoring three points.
 
The Nanooks will be back at home next week facing in-state rival Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Tip-off is set for 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.