Monday, November 26, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Alaska Anchorage finished fourth matching its best-ever finish in last week’s Great Alaska Shootout to earn the GNAC Team of the Week award.

After losing to Belmont (74-60) which reached the second round of the NCAA Division I tournament last season, UAA defeated UC Riverside (Big West Conference) 66-65 and Loyola Marymount (West Coast Conference) 83-77, its 34th and 35th victories against Division I opponents in the 35-year history of the tournament.

UAA made 15 of 27 three-pointers in the latter victory. 

Winning at the Shootout is nothing new for the Seawolves who have won at least one game in five straight shootouts and 29 of 35 overall.

Seven different times UAA has won two games to finish fourth in their annual tournament.

Two players – guards Teancum Stafford and Kyle Fossman – earned all-tournament honors.

Stafford led the team in scoring with 40 points and tied teammate Liam Gibcus for the most rebounds with 13.

Stafford made 15 of 30 shots, including seven of 15 three-pointers.  He also had seven assists, three steals and two blocks. 

Fossman scored 32 points, connecting on eight of 17 three-point shots.  He also had nine rebounds and three assists.

UAA, which is off to a 6-1 start, opens conference play this week hosting Montana State Billings Thursday at 7 p.m. and pre-season favorite Seattle Pacific Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's game is part of a doubleheader.  The first game at 5:15 p.m. will match the UAA women against Alaska Fairbanks.

Field Announced for 2013 Shootout

The University of Iowa, which won the 1986 Great Alaska Shootout, is among eight teams that will compete in the 2013 tournament.

Iowa, which is the first Big 10 team to compete in the tournament since Michigan in 2007, will be joined in the tournament by Denver, Harvard, Indiana State, Pepperdine, Texas Christian, Tulsa and the host Seawolves.

Joining UAA in the women's four-team tournament will be Georgetown, UC Riverside and one other team to be announced.