MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Nanooks men's basketball team (4-3, 1-0 GNAC) picked up an 80-70 win over the Western Oregon Wolves (3-4, 0-1 GNAC) on Thursday evening in its first GNAC game of the season.

How it Happened
The Wolves jumped out to a 6-2 lead early in the contest, but layups from Luke Fotheringham and Tyriq Luke tied the game at six. Mike Miller followed up with back-to-back threes to give the Nanooks a six-point lead, capping off a 10-0 run for the Blue & Gold. Miller added a layup on the following possession and hit a three later in the half to give the 'Nooks their first double-digit lead of the game at 26-15. Miller would hit two more threes during the half, while Luke and Jalai O'Keith connected on one apiece. Davis Crilly added a pair of two-point jumpers, and the Nanooks took a 44-31 advantage into the halftime break.

Fotheringham got the 'Nooks started in the second with a pair of layups, but a 13-0 Wolves run saw Alaska's lead cut to one at 48-47. Crilly ended the run with a layup, and O'Keith gave the Nanooks a six-point cushion with a three, but the 'Nooks would not reestablish a 10-point lead until five minutes later when Tariq Weiser and Crilly connected on consecutive threes to put them up 65-54. Joel Amaro responded to a Wolves three-point play with one of his own, and despite a 6-0 run by Western Oregon later in the half, the Nanooks held on for the 10-point victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Mike Miller paced the squad with 23 points, his second consecutive 20-point outing. He shot 8-15 from the field and 5-7 from three.
• Davis Crilly posted 13 points on 5-8 shooting, knocking down his one attempt from deep. He tied for the team lead in rebounds with eight, while leading the 'Nooks in assists (7) and blocks (2).
• Luke Fotheringham shot a perfect 4-4 from the field for 12 points, also going 4-4 from the free throw line. He grabbed five rebounds, dished two assists and tied for the team lead with two steals.
• Tyriq Luke was the final double-digit scorer for the Nanooks, finishing with 11 points. He added three assists during the contest.
• The Nanooks shot 28-57 (49.1%) from the field, 10-22 (45.5%) from three and 14-17 (82.4%) from the free throw line.
• Both teams scored 12 points off turnovers, while Alaska led in second chance points 11-7, bench points 16-7 and points in the paint 30-26.

What's to Come
The Nanooks play again on Saturday in another GNAC game, this time facing off against Saint Martin's on the road. Tip-off for the game is set for 4:15 p.m. AKST.

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