ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Nanooks men's basketball team prepares for their in-state rivals on Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. 
 
Saturday, Dec. 31
Alaska Anchorage | Live Video | Live Stats
7:00 p.m. | Alaska Airlines Center | Anchorage
 
Last Time Out
The Nanooks are coming off holiday break after two big wins in non-conference play against Portland Bible College. On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16-17, the Nanooks posted a combined 201 points in their 97-26 and 104-43 point victories over the Arrows. On night one, the Nanooks tied the GNAC record for fewest allowed made field goals, holding PBC to a 9-40 shooting night. They found themselves up 45-7 at the half before putting them away 97-26. Jaycson Bereal, Jr. led the 'Nooks with 19 points and eight rebounds. Tybenn Sturm added 16, Jordan Kanoe posted a dozen and Abdullahi Mohamed scored 11. 
 
On night two, Alaska had six in double-digits including the return of big man, Mawich Kachjaani, who posted a double-double in his first action of the season. He put up 12 points and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes of play and the Nanooks ran past the Arrows 104-43. 
 
#NookNotes

• The Nanooks are currently one of the top defenses in the GNAC and NCAA Division II ranks. They currently lead the conference in field goal percentage defense and are fifth in the nation with a 37.6%.
• They also lead the conference and are 13^th in the nation in scoring defense. Through 10 games, they've allowed an average of 60.6 points per game. 
• Their 13.4 scoring margin is second in the GNAC behind Alaska Anchorage (16.4) and 29^th in the nation behind Nova Southeastern (30.5).
• Alaska's second in the GNAC and 37^th in the nation in three-point percentage; they're currently shooting 39.1%. Their three-point percentage defense leads the GNAC and places them 15^th in the nation as they've held opponents to 28.0%.
• They're just outside the top-50 in the nation in turnover forced per game with an average of 16.5/game. They're second in the conference behind Alaska Anchorage (21.36).
• Bryan Nguyen is 185^th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio with a 1.52 – this also ranks him ninth in the GNAC.
• He is fifth in the conference in total assists with 41 and 110^th in the nation. He's averaging 4.1/game which ranks 78^th in the nation and fourth in the GNAC. 
• Jaycson Bereal, Jr. is 132^nd in the nation in total blocks with 12. That ranks him fifth in the GNAC. He is averaging 1.33/game which is fourth in the conference and 96^th in the nation. 
• He is also 93^rd in the nation in defensive rebounds per game, grabbing 5.56 – this is good for fifth in the conference. 
• Abdullahi Mohamed is sixth in the GNAC and 221^st in the nation in offensive rebounds per game; he's grabbing 2.00. He ranks seventh in the GNAC and 191^st in the nation in made free throws with 35. He is 151^st in the nation and sixth in the GNAC in FT attempts with 49.

Rivalry Update
The Nanooks look to keep the momentum on UAA after grabbing the biggest win against their in-state rivals last year at the GNAC Championships to advance to the GNAC title game. Before that game, the two only faced once in the 2021-22 season. That game, on Feb. 19, 2022, was a 95-72 loss in Anchorage. The Nanooks are looking for their first win in Anchorage since Feb. 22, 2003 when they knocked off the Seawolves 73-70.  
 
Meet the Opponents
Alaska Anchorage comes into this weekend's matchup riding a two-game winning streak. Both wins came against PBC on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 28-29. In game one, they knocked off the Arrows 108-36 before beating them in game two 87-28. 
 
UAA is led by Da'Zhon Wyche on offense. Through 11 starts, he's averaging 15.7 points per game on 173 points. He's shooting 40.3% from the floor, 26.6% from deep and 80% from the free-throw line. He leads the team with 27 steals and 56 assists. Sawyer Storms is the only other Seawolf in double-digits, averaging 11.5 per game while shooting 58% from the floor, 27.3% from deep and 61.8% from the free-throw line. He's the top rebounder on the team, grabbing 4.8 boards per game. Wyche follows with 4.1 boards per game. 
 
GNAC Standings

1. Saint Martin's – 11-2, 3-0 GNAC
2. Montana State Billings – 9-4, 3-0 GNAC
3. Western Washington – 9-3, 2-0 GNAC
4. Seattle Pacific – 7-5, 2-1 GNAC
5. Alaska – 6-4, 1-1 GNAC 
6. Western Oregon – 4-6, 1-2 GNAC
7. Northwest Nazarene – 6-5, 0-2 GNAC
8. Alaska Anchorage – 6-5, 0-2 GNAC
9. Simon Fraser – 5-7, 0-2 GNAC
10. Central Washington – 4-8, 0-3 GNAC

Regional/National Polls
Saint Martin's was the lone GNAC team to crack the D2SIDA Top-25, coming in at #23 in the Week Six Media Poll. SMU was also the top team in the D2SIDA West Regional, coming it at #3 with 47 points. Western Washington checked in at #5 and Montana State Billings rounded out GNAC teams in the regional at #8 with 23 points.

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.