FAIRBANKS – The Nanooks men's basketball team could not hold on vs. the No. 22 Saint Martin's Saints on Thursday evening, falling 77-65. The loss drops them to 13-13, 8-9 GNAC with a game to go.
Tyriq Luke surpassed 1,000 points in his collegiate career tonight, as the guard now has 1,007 points across his time at Everett Community College and Alaska.
How it Happened
The Nanooks tied the game twice in the opening three minutes, with Davis Crilly getting the 'Nooks on the board with a layup and Mike Miller adding a three. They took the lead on a Jalai O'Keith three at the 15:20 mark, putting them up 8-7, and Luke Fotheringham followed that up with a layup on the next possession. The Saints retook the lead thanks to a 5-0 run, but O'Keith once again put the 'Nooks ahead with a three, this time making it 18-17 just past the halfway mark of the first. O'Keith, Tyriq Luke and Jackson Krug all connected on shots from deep over the final five minutes of the half, and while neither team led by more than three points for the entire first half, the 'Nooks entered the locker room ahead 36-33 after Tariq Weiser hit a jumper with two seconds left.
Miller and Weiser began the second by knocking down a layup and a three, giving them a two-point lead after a pair of SMU threes, but a 13-0 run for the visitors saw Alaska fall behind by double digits. O'Keith ended the run with a three, but SMU's Diego Trejo-Delgado responded right away with his own triple. The Nanooks would claw back and make it a four-point game after a three from Miller with 4:10 to go, but the Saints countered with a 9-0 run to put them back up by double digits. A Luke three would be the only points the Nanooks got for the remainder of the contest.
Inside the Numbers
- Jalai O'Keith posted a team-high 19 points vs. the Saints, shooting 7-11 from the field and 4-6 from three. He added six rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist.
- Tyriq Luke and Mike Miller both put up 13 points on 4-14 shooting. Luke finished with five rebounds and three assists, while Miller grabbed four rebounds and collected a steal.
- Tariq Weiser was the final Nanook to finish in double figures, scoring 10 points on 4-7 shooting. He led the team with five assists and added four rebounds.
- The Nanooks went 23-67 (34.3%) from the field and 14-36 (38.9%) from three while making five of eight free throws.
- The Nanooks outrebounded the Saints 41-39, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds to SMU's 13. However, they trailed in second-chance points 13-12.
- The Nanooks dished 14 assists to SMU's 12.
- Alaska was outscored in the paint 34-18.
What's to Come
The Nanooks welcome Western Oregon to the Patty Center on Saturday, Feb 28, at 3:15 p.m. for their regular-season finale. They will hold their Senior Day celebrations before the game, so get there early as we honor our five seniors!
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