FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks hung tight with the Central Washington Wildcats on Saturday, Jan. 13 but fell 69-65 as CWU had a strong showing from deep to grab the win. The loss dropped the Nanooks to 3-10, 1-4 GNAC on the season.

Despite the Wildcats outshooting the Nanooks by 10%, Alaska remained close at halftime, trailing by only four at 35-31. Central posted a 14-27 shooting performance in the first while Alaska went 13-31. Central boasted a 6-12 shooting performance from deep in the first to hold on to the four-point lead. CWU jumped out to a quick 10-4 lead and continued to grow it in the opening 10 minutes. They eventually held a 20-7 lead at the 10:15 mark before Bryan Nguyen made it 20-9 on a floater, stopping the run for the Wildcats. The Nanooks used a few more buckets to cut into the lead 20-13. After trading buckets, Jaycson Bereal, Jr. hit a three to make it 26-20 at the 4:14 mark, the closest the Nanooks had been since the 14:36 mark. CWU went on one final run to make it an 11-point game at the 1:17 mark but Alaska ended the half on a 7-0 run to make it a 35-31 game at the break. 

Out of the halftime break, the Nanooks made it a one-point game on a Tyriq Luke three. They were matched by CWU as the Wildcats maintained their lead but at the 11:49 mark, Luke struck again, this time from deep to tie the game at 46-46. This was the last time the 'Nooks would get this close as Central quickly ran back ahead and made it an eight-point game only four minutes later. Alaska would battle, staying within striking distance, but with eight seconds remaining, the Nanooks made it a two-point game. A foul of CWU sent them to the line and they knocked down both to make it a four-point lead and eventual 69-65 win. 

Abdullahi Mohamed posted a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double for Alaska, going 8-16 from the field. He added five assists. Luke ended the night with 15 points on 6-12 shooting and a 3-6 shooting performance from deep, grabbing four rebounds. Bereal, Jr. was the final Nanook in double-digits, ending with 10 and three rebounds. 

The Nanooks hit the road next week as they play Simon Fraser and Western Washington on Jan. 18 and Jan. 20. 

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