ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Nanooks men's basketball team plays its first road games of the season this weekend at the Alaska/Hawaii Challenge in Anchorage, the 10th year of this event. They take on Chaminade on Saturday before playing Hawaii Pacific on Sunday.

Friday, Nov. 15
Chaminade | 5:15 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Center (Aux. Gym) | Anchorage, Alaska

Saturday, Nov. 16
Hawaii Pacific | 2 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Center | Anchorage, Alaska

Watch Here | Live Stats

Last Time Out
The Nanooks opened their season at the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium last week, taking on the Pacific Union Pioneers on Wednesday and Thursday. They claimed a 92-59 victory in their season opener on Wednesday, and won 110-70 in game two.

Tyriq Luke put up 20 points in game one and 18 in game two, while Jalai O'Keith posted a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double on Wednesday before leading the team with 22 points to close out the series.

#NookNotes

• Tyriq Luke currently ranks second in the GNAC in points per game, posting an average of 19 over the first two games of the season. He is third in the GNAC in assists per game with 4.5, and his 4.5 assist/turnover ratio puts him first.
• Jalai O'Keith ranks third in the conference in scoring, averaging 17.5 points. He also leads the conference in rebounding with nine per game.
• O'Keith's 12 rebounds on opening night are the most anyone in the conference has grabbed this season.
• Mike Miller is averaging three steals per game to start the season, which is the highest mark in the conference.
• Joel Amaro's seven assists in Thursday's game are the third-most in the conference for a single game this season.
• As a team, the 'Nooks are averaging 13 makes on 49.1% shooting from beyond the arc, both of which lead the GNAC.
• Their 110 points scored in their second game vs. Pacific Union is the highest mark in the GNAC so far.
• Alaska's 16 three-pointers made in game one are three more than the next closest GNAC team.

Meet the Opponents
Chaminade Silverswords (2024-25 Record: 16-11, 10-10 PacWest)
Head Coach: Eric Bovaird (15th Season)

• The Silverswords are playing their regular-season opener against Alaska on Saturday. They began 2025-26 with two preseason exhibitions, falling 93-87 to Hawai'i on Sunday, Oct. 26, and defeating Nobel 115-80 on Friday, Nov. 7.
• The 'Nooks played Chaminade twice last season, falling 104-96 in overtime in their season-opener, and dropping a 91-84 decision three days later.
• Chaminade went 16-11 last year, going an even 10-10 in PacWest play. They won four of their final six games in 2024-25 but missed the conference tournament by one game.
• Senior guard Kent King is their leading returning scorer, averaging 12.5 points per game last season.

Hawaii Pacific Sharks (2024-25 Record: 15-14, 10-10 PacWest)
Head Coach: Jesse Nakanishi (3rd Season)

• The Sharks began their season with a tightly contested 79-78 exhibition win over Division I Boise State on Monday, Nov. 3, in a game where neither team led by more than seven points. They picked up another exhibition win vs. Nobel University on Saturday, Nov. 8, taking down the Knights 95-74.
• The 'Nooks and the Sharks played once in 2024-25, with HPU claiming an 80-67 win in the GNAC/PacWest Challenge. Alaska defeated the Sharks 69-64 in the 2023-24 season.
• Hawaii Pacific is returning its leading scorer from last season in senior guard Joshua West, who averaged 13.7 points per game for the Sharks in 2024-25.
• Like Chaminade, HPU finished last season with an even 10-10 record in PacWest action, missing the conference tournament by a game.

What's Next
The 'Nooks are back in Anchorage in two weeks for the UAA Tournament. They take on Westmont on Friday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m., and conclude the weekend the next day at 5:15 p.m. vs. Cal Poly Humboldt.

Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanooksMBB
X - @NanooksMBB
FB - Alaska Nanooks Men's Basketball