FAIRBANKS– The Nanooks men's basketball team fell to Texas A&M International on the opening night of the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational, Friday, Nov. 25. The 65-56 loss dropped the Nanooks to 2-3, 0-0 GNAC on the season and the Dust Devils improved to 5-0, 0-0 Lonestar. 
 
The Dust Devils got out to a fast start, scoring the first three buckets of the night, leading 6-0. The Nanooks kept it competitive throughout the first half, Paul Johnson tied it up, 15-15 with 11:14 left in the first half. The Johnson jumper was the closest the 'Nooks would get on the night. As a 5-0 run by the Dust Devils would put Texas A&M International up for good, taking a 31-25 lead to halftime. 
 
Abdullahi Mohamed tried to will the 'Nooks to victory in the second half, scoring 14 of his game high 26 in the half. Mohamed netted 26 points on an efficient 7-11 shooting and 12-13 from the free-throw line. He added three rebounds and an assist. 
 
Both Nick Hopkins and Tyler Mrus nearly added double-doubles for Alaska. Hopkins ended with nine points and eight rebounds, and Mrus added eight points and eight rebounds. 
 
Alaska will wrap up their slate of games in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational on Nov. 26 at 2:30 p.m. versus Westminster College. 

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