Griffin Effenberger, Paul Johnson and Jordan Gill celebrate Senior Day before their game vs. MSUB, 2024-25
Kristen Pearson
64
Mont. St. Billings MSUB 19-11,10-7 Great Northwest
72
Winner Alas. Fairbanks UAF 12-13,8-8 Great Northwest
Mont. St. Billings MSUB
19-11,10-7 Great Northwest
64
Final
72
Alas. Fairbanks UAF
12-13,8-8 Great Northwest
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Mont. St. Billings MSUB 27 37 64
Alas. Fairbanks UAF 21 51 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Alex Dean - Assistant Sports Information Director

Men’s Hoops Ends Home Schedule With Big Win Over Yellowjackets on Senior Day

FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks men's basketball team concluded its home schedule on Saturday with a big win over Montana State Billings. The Nanooks honored seniors Jordan Gill, Paul Johnson and Griffin Effenberger prior to the contest for Senior Day, and they would go on to defeat the Yellowjackets 72-64. The win means Alaska is tied with Saint Martin's for the final GNAC playoff spot, with both teams sitting at an 8-8 conference record.

How it Happened
The Yellowjackets began the contest scoring its first six points, with Jajuan Tot notching back-to-back buckets to put Alaska in an early 6-0 hole. Jalai O'Keith got the 'Nooks on the board with a jumper and followed that up with a three off an Isaiah Saams-Hoy steal, making it a one-point ballgame. The Nanooks took the lead thanks to a three from Saams-Hoy, putting them in front 8-6 with 4:21 gone. MSUB tied it three times over the next 5:45, but Alaska kept in front thanks to a layup from Saams-Hoy and two Elyon Zevenbergen layups. However, the Yellowjackets logged a 6-0 run to put themselves ahead 18-14 with 6:46 remaining until halftime. The 'Nooks would get buckets from Ketan Sidhu, O'Keith and Zevenbergen to close the half, but they entered the break trailing 27-21.

MSUB began the second half by scoring the first four points, building a double-digit advantage over Alaska. Paul Johnson got things going for the Nanooks with a jumper, and O'Keith followed with a three on the next possession to make it 31-26. Saams-Hoy scored Alaska's next six points, keeping themselves within striking distance of the Yellowjackets before an O'Keith jumper made it a one-score game. Griffin Effenberger followed with a jumper and a three-pointer to tie the game at 39, and Saams-Hoy gave the 'Nooks the lead with a put-back layup. O'Keith would score the next six points for the Blue & Gold, and Chris Lee followed by drilling threes on the next three possessions to give the Nanooks a 56-45 lead. Johnson and Lee notched two more buckets for the Nanooks to put them up 61-47, and Alaska would score its final 11 points from the charity stripe to see out the win.

Inside the Numbers

  • Jalai O'Keith led the Nanooks with 20 points on an efficient 8-11 shooting performance from the field. He also led the team in steals with two and tied for the team lead in rebounds with nine.
  • Isaiah Saams-Hoy followed with 18 points and nine rebounds. He led the team with five assists and two blocks.
  • Chris Lee was the final Nanook to reach double-figure scoring, posting 14 points.
  • Griffin Effenberger contributed seven points off the bench while adding five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
  • The 'Nooks went 25-57 (43.9%) from the field and 7-26 (26.9%) from three. They knocked down 15-22 (68.2%) attempts from the free-throw line.
  • Alaska got 12 points off turnovers compared to two for MSUB. It also led the Yellowjackets in bench points 13-6.


What's to Come
The Nanooks are on the road for their final two home games of the 2024-25 regular season, beginning with a huge matchup against the Saint Martin's Saints next Thursday in a battle for the final spot in the GNAC playoffs. They then play their regular season finale against the Western Oregon Wolves on Saturday.

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