Monday, January 4, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Alaska men’s basketball team ran its win streak to six games with two road victories, earning the GNAC’s Red Lion Team of the Week award to start the new year. The Nanooks defeated Saint Martin’s 79-72 on New Year’s Eve, before upsetting No. 8/19 ranked Seattle Pacific 79-75 on Saturday.
"It's a great accomplishment for our guys, especially coming out of the break," said head coach Mick Durham. "We came out of the break ready to play going on the road, which is always tough to do."
Against Saint Martin’s, the Nanooks were led by Brandon Davis’ 22 points and 7 of 7 from the free throw line. Joe Slocum finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and finishing 6 of 6 from the charity stripe. Bangaly Kaba grabbed a game high 11 rebounds and scored nine points with four assists. Alaska shot 18 of 19 from the free throw line.
Alaska then came up with its biggest win of the season, defeating nationally ranked Seattle Pacific in another tight contest. The Nanooks trailed 32-31 at halftime, but claimed the lead 61-60 with 5:08 remaining in the game. They did not relinquish the lead from that point on, taking the game 79-75.
Travante Williams led the Nanooks with 17 points and six rebounds. Kaba scored 15 points and Slocum and Almir Hadzisehovic each scored 12 points. Alaska used a strong game from behind the arc to take the victory, finishing 10 of 18 (55.6 %) from long range. Williams was 4 of 5 from behind the arc.
"To finish the road trip at Seattle Pacific with a win was huge," Durham said. "We've had a tough time with SPU over the years so to be able to go in there and get a win will be a confidence booster for us and hopefully we can use that going forward in the GNAC."
The Nanooks have opened the season at 10-2 overall and 4-0 in the GNAC. They were ranked No. 9 in the latest D2SIDA West Region rankings on Dec. 21.
Alaska returns home this week, hosting the preseason favorites in Western Washington on Thursday followed by Simon Fraser on Saturday.