ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team escaped 2-0 in Calif. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20. After defeating Sonoma State on Friday, the Nanooks returned to the Wolves Den and knocked-off Cal State East Bay 98-89 in overtime to move to 2-2, 0-0 GNAC on the season.  

The Nanooks led for much of the first half, but East Bay pushed back and eventually grabbed a two-point lead heading into the half. A 36-34 deficit was what Alaska was looking at after 20. The Nanooks managed to work back into the game late, forcing OT before running away with the win late.

In the first, the shot 40.74% from the field and 40% from behind the three-point line. Despite their continued hot-shooting from the night before, the 'Nooks trailed. Alaska was up by as much as 10 in the opening-period before watching their lead disappear. They were down by four with 11 seconds to go when Koby Huerta pulled them back within two going into the locker rooms. Out of the locker room, the Nanooks then saw their deficit climb to 12, including an East Bay seven-point lead with under a minute to go. This did not stun Alaska. After trailing for the final 18:21 of the second-half, the Nanooks needed just one last shot after sticking close, and their prayers were answered. After a Cal State East Bay free throw, Quin Barnard took the inbound pass and pulled up from the "S" on the center-court logo and knocked-down the game-tying three sending the game to overtime.

All of this coming after Shadeed Shabazz connected on 12-straight Alaska points to keep them within striking distance. The 'Nooks were rolling when overtime began and it was all the momentum Alaska needed. They ran away with the game in the extra period, winning 98-89. Shabazz led the way with a double-double on 40 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. This was his first 40-point game of the season and fourth of his career.

Quin Barnard posted a dozen points alongside Koby Huerta. Coleman Sparling added 11 and seven rebounds. Abdullahi Mohamed had eight boards.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team, follow @NanooksMBB on Twitter, @AlaskaMensBasketball on Instagram, or like the Alaska Nanooks athletics page on Facebook.