FAIRBANKS – The Nanooks men's basketball team (7-5, 2-1 GNAC) defeated the Western Washington Vikings 85-76 on Thursday evening to begin the 2026 portion of their schedule.
How it Happened
The two sides began the contest by posting one basket apiece over the opening 3:45. Luke Fotheringham would provide the offense for the Nanooks over the next couple of minutes, knocking down a pair of layups and a three-pointer to give the 'Nooks a 9-6 lead. Alaska eventually built a double-digit lead after a Davis Crilly three-point play just past the halfway point of the first put them up 19-9. Mike Miller added on to it with a two and a three, and back-to-back Jalai O'Keith baskets gave the 'Nooks a 29-17 lead with 6:13 left in the first. Alaska ended the half on a 6-0 run, capped off by three free throws from Tyriq Luke after he was fouled on a shot attempt as time expired, putting them up 42-29 entering the break.
The Nanooks began the second with five unanswered points, as Fotheringham converted a pair of free throws and Crilly drained a shot from deep. Fotheringham added a three-point play after a 5-0 Vikings run, and the 'Nooks would hold on to their double-digit cushion until the 6:11 mark when a Vikings three capped off a 7-0 WWU run and made it an eight-point contest at 68-60. Crilly and O'Keith brought it back to double-digits with a pair of baskets, but a 9-1 run from the visitors made it a one-score game at 73-70 with 2:13 remaining. Fotheringham made it a four-point game after hitting a free throw before Crilly knocked down a huge three to put the 'Nooks back up by seven. Tariq Weiser added a layup and would score all of Alaska's final six points from the free throw line to close out the game.
Inside the Numbers
- Luke Fotheringham led the Nanooks with 23 points, going 7-9 from the field and 1-1 from three. He added seven rebounds, a block and a steal during the contest.
- Davis Crilly finished with a double-double, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds. He also led the team with three steals and two blocks.
- Jalai O'Keith gave the Nanooks 14 points off the bench, shooting 5-6 from the field and 2-3 from downtown.
- Mike Miller was the final Nanook in double-figures, posting 12 points to go along with four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
- The Nanooks shot 25-61 (41%) from the field, 8-22 (36.4%) from three and 27-32 (84.4%) from the free throw line in the win.
- The Nanooks held the advantage in points off turnovers (20-15), second chance points (16-11), points in the paint (28-22) and fastbreak points (15-12).
- Alaska never trailed during the contest.
What's to Come
The Nanooks are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 3, with a home showdown against Simon Fraser at 3:15 p.m.
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