FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team fell to Alaska Anchorage on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in a hard-fought matchup. The 81-94 loss drops the 'Nooks to 10-15, 9-8 GNAC.
Despite a double-double from
Shadeed Shabazz, Alaska was unable to stay with the Seawolves on Tuesday night. In front of a packed Patty Center, the Nanooks and Seawolves started scoring off the bat.
Mawich Kachjaani gave the 'Nooks their first lead of the game at 6-5 with a layup before UAA answered with a 13-2 run. After they stopped the bleeding, the Nanooks made a small push of their own as
Markel Banks answered for four points, including the tying layup midway through the first making it 22-22. Just a minute and a half later,
Alex Sommerfield brought life back into the arena with a fastbreak bucket, giving the 'Nooks their first lead since the opening minute at 27-25. Back-and-forth basketball ensued for the rest of the opening 20 before Niko Bevens hit one of his five three-pointers at the buzzer, giving the Seawolves a two point lead at the break.
Out of the break, the Seawolves took over.
Quinn Daugharty opened the scoring for Alaska in the second half, but following the first bucket for the 'Nooks, UAA went on a 10-0 run.
All momentum swung to the side of Anchorage as just past the midway point of the second half, the Nanooks were chasing 19 points at 63-82 with 7:00 left in regulation. Alaska had one last run in them. After going on a 12-0 run, the Nanooks had pulled within seven points at 75-82. After their late run, the Nanooks had exhausted all they had left, falling behind by nine with just over one minute remaining before falling by 13, 81-94.
Shabazz led the way for the Nanooks with 25 points, 12 assists, five steals and four rebounds, but his third double-double of the season was not enough to will the Nanooks to the win.
Markel Banks had his best game in some time with 16 points, two rebounds and two steals and
Koby Huerta put up 13 points.
Keshaun Howard put up a career-high 10 points.
The Nanooks stay at home for a Thursday matchup with Montana State Billings. That game will also serve as the final game for four seniors;
Quinn Daugharty,
Zach Hatch,
Jalon McCullough and
Spencer Sweet. That game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. AKT and will follow the Nanooks women's basketball game at 5:15 p.m.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks athletics page on Facebook.
