FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks kicked off GNAC action on Thursday afternoon, taking on the Western Oregon Wolves at home. Alaska would pick up the 87-72 victory to improve to 5-3, 1-0 GNAC.

How it Happened
Isaiah Saams-Hoy started the scoring with a three-pointer 24 seconds into the contest. The Wolves would respond with a three on the following possession, but a Jalai O'Keith connection from downtown put the 'Nooks back in the driver's seat. Western Oregon briefly took the lead after a Jason Gallant fastbreak layup made it 10-8 at the 15:46 mark, but the Nanooks took the lead back thanks to an and-one conversion by Paul Johnson. Later in the period, Chris Lee increased Alaska's lead to seven after draining a three while being fouled, which put him at the line with a chance to complete the four-point play. He would knock down the free throw to give the Nanooks a 20-13 lead with 11:47 left to go in the first. A Wolves layup cut the lead to five, but Johnson and Ketan Sidhu responded with a three-pointer and jumper in the paint, which put Alaska up 10. After a Sidhu tip-in put the Nanooks ahead 27-17 with 9:02 left, the Blue and Gold would hold a 10-point lead for the remainder of the game. Shiloh Zevenbergen knocked down a pair of threes in the final 4:03 of the period, while Johnson drained a three and a two to help Alaska build a 48-31 lead entering the break.

The Nanooks began the second half by building on their lead, with Saams-Hoy and O'Keith contributing two points each in the opening 1:07 of the period to make it a 52-31 ballgame. A 6-0 run for WOU cut the lead to 15, but Johnson would score on Alaska's next three possessions, draining a pair of jumpers before connecting from beyond the arc to put the Blue and Gold ahead 59-39. Jordan Gill answered a 7-2 run from Western Oregon with back-to-back buckets to bring the score to 65-46 before the halfway point. Johnson and Griffin Effenberger would notch threes during the closing stages of the contest, and the 'Nooks would cruise to a comfortable 87-72 win.

Inside the Numbers

• Paul Johnson posted a team-high 25 points in his return to action, going 10-of-18 from the floor and 4-of-9 from three.
• Jalai O'Keith followed with 12 points on the afternoon, connecting on four of his 10 field goal attempts. He grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and swiped two steals in the win.
• Chris Lee notched 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting while grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. The guard also led the team in assists with seven.
• Isaiah Saams-Hoy tallied 11 points for the 'Nooks on 4-of-8 shooting. He also collected three boards, three assists, a block and a steal.
• Jordan Gill was the final Nanook to finish with double-digit points, scoring 10 while shooting 5-of-6 from the floor.
• The Nanooks shot 50% from the field and 37.9% from distance during the contest while going a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.
• Alaska out-rebounded Western Oregon 40-30 in the win.
• The 'Nooks led in second-chance points (13-6) and points off turnovers (11-8).

What's to Come
The Nanooks conclude their homestand on Saturday with a matchup against Saint Martin's. Tip-off is set for 3:15 p.m.

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