Tuesday, November 21, 2017

ONE FINAL SHOOTOUT AT THE ALASKA AIRLINES CORRAL: The end of an era not only for Alaska Anchorage, but for college basketball is here as the Seawolves host the 40th and final edition of the GCI Great Alaska Shootout over Thanksgiving weekend.

The tournament officially begins with two women’s games on Tuesday night. The men’s bracket opens play on Wednesday. The host Seawolves play in the late game at 8 p.m. (AKST) against Cal State Bakersfield. The rest of the tournament field features Cal Poly, College of Charleston, Central Michigan, Sam Houston State, Idaho and Santa Clara.

The first of the big regular-season college hoop tournaments thanks to the NCAA’s rules exempting games in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico counting against a school’s limit of contests, UAA officials announced the end of the Shootout in September. The week will be one filled with nostalgia of nearly every big-time Division I program having visited Anchorage, from Duke to Arizona, from North Carolina to Villanova to Indiana.

The Shootout will also be remembered for the Division I teams that have fallen over the years to the tournament hosts. The last came in 2015 when UAA downed Drexel.

FOUR AT 4-0: We are two weeks into the regular season and the GNAC boasts four teams off to 4-0 starts.

Western Oregon leads the way with a 4-0 start in four home games. The Wolves extended their win streak with a pair solid wins over West Region opponents, scoring a 99-87 win over Azusa Pacific and a 97-86 win over Dixie State at the Western Oregon D2 Shootout. Western will play its first road games of the season this weekend in the Bay Area.

Concordia is making the most of its first year as a Division II member with its 4-0 start. The Cavaliers extended the win streak at the NNU Invitational, collecting a 102-97 win over San Francisco St. and a 78-71 win over Academy of Art. After hosting Corban on Tuesday, Concordia will endure another road test with games at Cal State San Marcos and Cal State LA.

Montana State Billings had rebounded well from a disappointing 2016-17 with a 4-0 mark. The Yellowjackets scored a 112-33 rout of Yellowstone Christian last Tuesday before escaping with a 75-73 win over Mary on Thursday. The team will have just one more game before conference play begins, hosting Chadron State on Tuesday.

The biggest surprise, however, is Simon Fraser who is off to a 4-0 start for the first time in its Division II history. The Clan added wins last week over Canadian rivals, beating Capilano 93-74 last Tuesday and beating Quest 103-53 on Sunday. With the wins, SFU has equaled its win total from last year. The Clan has its biggest test of the season so far this weekend, playing in San Diego against Azusa Pacific and Point Loma.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS: The following GNAC Players have been recognized with all-tournament team honors during the 2017-18 season...

PacWest/GNAC Conference Challenge (Nov. 10 & 11 at Bellingham, Wash.): Iziah Sherman-Newsome (SFU), Kedar Salam (SFU), Deandre Dickson (WWU), Daulton Hommes (WWU), Logan Schilder (WWU)

Alaska/Hawaii Challenge (Nov. 10 & 11 at Anchorage): Davis Kimble (UAF), LaDonovan Wilder (UAF), Jacob Lampkin (UAA).

GNAC/CCAA Challenge (Nov. 10 & 11 at Portland): Jarrett Gray (CU, Most Valuable Player), Christopher Edward (CU), Jawan Stepney (CWU).

Sodexo Classic (Nov. 17-18 at Seattle): Coleman Wooten (SPU, Most Valuable Player), Sam Simpson (SPU), Fuquan Niles (CWU).

THIS WEEK'S GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Demetrius Trammell
Western Oregon
G • 6-1 • Sr. • West Point, Ga.

Trammell averaged 24 points per game and shot 70 percent from the field (14-20) and 70.6 percent from three-point range (12-17) and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the free throw line in two wins for the Wolves at their own Western Oregon D2 Shootout. On Friday, he came off the bench to lead all scorers with 24 points on 7 of 10 from the field, 6 of 8 from three-point range and 4 of 4 from the free throw line to go along with three steals in a 99-87 win over Azusa Pacific. Trammell had another 24-point performance in Saturday’s 97-86 win over Dixie State, making 7 of 10 from the field and 6 of 9 from three-point range.

Also Nominated: DJ Ursery (Alaska Anchorage), Cody Starr (Concordia), Tyler Green (Montana State Billings), Jordan Kitchen (Saint Martin’s), Coleman Wooten (Seattle Pacific), Daulton Hommes (Western Washington).

AROUND THE GNAC
ALASKA
• Alaska returned to action with an exciting tilt on Monday, dropping an 82-81 double-overtime decision to Holy Names.

• Freshman guard Zach Hatch led the Nanooks offensively off the bench, scoring 15 points on 5 of 9 from the field, all three-pointers. Sophomore forward Michael Kluting had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

• Junior guard Davis Kimble went 3 for 7 from the three-point arc in the game. He enters the week tied for third in the GNAC with 3.33 three-pointers made per game and is seventh with a .556 three-point percentage.

• Alaska enters the week averaging 78.7 points and 32.7 rebounds per game. The Nanooks are second in the GNAC and is 21st in Division II with 11.33 three-pointers made per game. They are also fourth in Division II with a 2.44 assist/turnover ratio and leads the GNAC and are 12th nationally with 20.33 assists per game.

• Alaska will play once again against Holy Names on Tuesday as HNU closes a four-game Alaska road trip. The Nanooks will then face Capilano on Friday and UC San Diego on Saturday in the Chuck Randall Classic in Bellingham, Wash.

ALASKA ANCHORAGE
• The Seawolves have won two straight after beating Holy Names in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. Alaska Anchorage won the opener 63-55 and followed up with an 80-74 victory.

• Senior transfer forward D.J. Ursery scored 34 points in the two games to lead the UAA offense. He led the Seawolves with 19 points in the first HNU game and added 15 points on Saturday. Ursery enters the week averaging 13 points per game.

• Senior transfer forward Jacob Lampkin scored 29 points and pulled down 24 rebounds in the two contests. He had double-doubles in both contests, finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds on Friday and 12 points and 10 rebounds on Saturday. Lampkin’s four double-doubles on the season ranks second in Division II. He is also third in the GNAC and 19th in Division II with 10.8 rebounds per game.

• Alaska Anchorage enters the week ranked 15th in Division II with a .798 free throw percentage. Junior guard Josiah Wood is ranked fifth in the GNAC at 86.7 percent (13-15) while Lampkin is tied for sixth at 83.3 percent (10-12).

• The Seawolves also lead the GNAC in rebounding defense with 30.2 boards allowed per game. Alaska Anchorage is averaging 65.8 points and 37 rebounds per game.

• Alaska Anchorage hosts the 40th and final GCI Great Alaska Shootout over Thanksgiving weekend. The Seawolves open against Cal State Bakersfield on Wednesday.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON
• Central Washington is 2-2 after splitting a pair of games at the Sodexo Classic at Seattle Pacific. The Wildcats beat Hawaii Hilo on Friday, 84-79, and lost to Concordia-Irvine on Saturday, 65-60.

• Senior center Fuquan Niles was named to the All-Tournament Team after finishing with 25 points, 25 rebounds and seven blocks in the two games. He finished with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds on 6 of 7 from the field against Hawaii Hilo and finished with eight points, 14 rebounds and six blocks against Concordia-Irvine. Niles leads the GNAC and is 18th in Division II with2.50 blocked shots per game. Niles is also fifth in the GNAC with nine rebounds per contest.

• Freshman guard Khalil Shabazz continued his great start, finishing with 36 points in the two games. His week was highlighted by 25 points on 8 of 13 from the field and 9 of 11 from the free throw line against Hawaii Hilo. Shabazz is fifth in the GNAC in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game. He is also second in the GNAC with 2.75 steals per game.

• Central Washington enters the week averaging 69.5 points and 40.8 rebounds per game.

• The Wildcats play just one game over Thanksgiving week, hosting Walla Walla on Saturday.

CONCORDIA
• Concordia improved to 4-0 on the season with a pair of wins at the NNU Invitational. The Cavaliers were 102-97 winners over San Francisco State in Friday’s Joe Danahey Challenge game and then beat Academy of Art on Saturday, 78-71.

• With the wins, Concordia moved into the D2SIDA West Region Rankings at No. 8. The Cavaliers also received seven votes in the first NABC regular season poll of the season.

• Junior guard Jarrett Gray once again led the Cavaliers offensively with 42 points in the two games. He was one of three players to score over 20 points against SFSU, scoring 22 points on 9 of 17 from the field. Gray then led CU with 20 points with 10 of 10 from the free throw line against Academy of Art. Gray is second in the GNAC in scoring, averaging 21.8 points per game.

• Senior forward Christopher Edward scored 24 points and had 24 rebounds in the contest. He had double-doubles of 14 points and 11 rebounds against San Francisco St. and 18 points and 13 rebounds against Academy of Art. Edward leads the GNAC and is 11th in Division II in rebounding at 11.8 rebounds per game. He also leads the GNAC and is fifth in Division II with nine defensive rebounds per game.

• Junior guard Cody Starr is tied for first in the GNAC and 18th in Division II with 6.50 assists per game. He finished with a weekend-high of 10 assists against San Francisco State.

• Concordia enters the week averaging 83.2 points and 35.8 rebounds per game. The Cavaliers are 21st in Division II with 32.50 defensive rebounds per game and is 23rd with a .437 three-point percentage.

• After hosting NAIA rival Corban on Tuesday, the Cavaliers will spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Southern California. Concordia will play at Cal State San Marcos on Friday and at Cal State LA on Saturday.

MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
• Montana State Billings improved to 4-0 on the season thanks to a 112-33 win over Yellowstone Christian last Tuesday and a 75-73 win over Mary last Thursday.

• Sophomore guard Tyler Green finished with 44 points over the two contests as he hit 56 percent from the field (14-25). Green scored 20 points on 7 of 12 from the field and 6 of 11 from three-point range against Yellowstone Christian  and led all scorers with 24 points on 7 of 13 from the field and 7 of 11 from the arc against Mary. Green is sixth in the GNAC in scoring at 18.5 points per game and is second in the GNAC and eighth in Division II with 4.75 three-pointers made per game.

• Senior forward Kamal Tall had 18 rebounds in the two games, paced by 11 rebounds against Mary. Tall enters the week ranked sixth in the GNAC with 7.8 rebounds per game.

• The Yellowjackets lead the GNAC in scoring defense, holding opponents to 59.8 points per game. Montana State Billings is second in Division II with a .182 three-point percentage defense, fifth with a .352 field goal defense and 39th with 18.7 assists per game. In addition, MSUB is averaging 82 points per game and is second in the GNAC with 43 rebounds per game.

• Montana State Billings will host Chadron State on Tuesday and will then be off until the team’s Nov. 30 GNAC opener against Alaska Anchorage.

NORTHWEST NAZARENE
• Northwest Nazarene split its games at its own NNU Invitational, beating Academy of Art on Friday 84-76 before falling to San Francisco on Saturday, 92-75, for the Nighthawks’ first loss of the season. Earlier in the week, the Nighthawks scored a 76-70 win over College of Idaho.

• Senior forward Maurice Jones led the Nighthawks once again as he averaged 25.7 points and 12 rebounds per game in the three games. He finished with 24 points against College of Idaho and had 27 points in Friday’s win over Academy of Art. Jones leads the GNAC and is eighth in Division II in scoring at 24.3 points per game. He also shares the GNAC lead with 11.3 rebounds per game.

• Junior guard Obi Megwa finished with 50 points in the three games. He had a high of 23 points against Academy of Art on 9 of 16 from the field.

• Northwest Nazarene enters the week averaging 82 points per game and is third in the GNAC with 41.5 rebounds per game. The Nighthawks are third in the GNAC with 12 offensive rebounds per game.

• The Nighthawks will play at College of Idaho in an exhibition game on Tuesday, the second game of the United Heritage Mayors’ Cup series. Northwest Nazarene will then travel to Denver for contests against Metro State and Regis in the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Cherry Creek Classic.

SAINT MARTIN’S
• Saint Martin’s has not played since last Tuesday. The Saints return to the court on Tuesday at Cal State Monterey Bay and will play in the CBU Thanksgiving Classic in Riverside, Calif., against Academy of Art & Cal Baptist.

• Saint Martin’s opened with a 2-1 start after splitting its contests at the GNAC/PacWest Challenge in Monmouth, Ore. The Saints beat Fresno Pacific 95-79 and lost to Point Loma on Saturday, 85-77. Saint Martin’s opened the home schedule last Tuesday with an 87-74 win over Hawaii Hilo.

• Junior guard Luke Chavez led SMU offensively with 49 points in the three games. He led the team with 20 points on 7 of 12 from the field and 3 of 5 from three-point range against Point Loma and scored another 20 while playing all 40 minutes against Hawaii Hilo. Chavez is averaging 16.3 points per game and is sixth in the GNAC with 1.67 steals per game.

• Junior forward Jordan Kitchen had 23 rebounds and seven blocked shots in the three games. He opened with 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks against Fresno Pacific and added 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks against Hawaii Hilo. Kitchen is second in the GNAC and 23rd in Division II with 2.33 blocked shots per game.

• Saint Martin’s enters the week fourth in the GNAC in scoring at 86.3 points per game. The Saints are third with a .435 three-point percentage.

SEATTLE PACIFIC
• Seattle Pacific improved to 3-1 on the season after two wins at its own Sodexo Classic. The Falcons scored a 79-56 win over Concordia-Irvine and a 90-59 win over Hawaii Hilo.

• Junior forward Coleman Wooten was named the tournament’s MVP after he scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in the two games. He finished with nine points, five rebounds and three blocks against Concordia-Irvine and 11 points and five rebounds against Hawaii Hilo.

• Junior forward Sam Simpson was named to the All-Tournament Team, staked in part by his 14-point effort on Saturday against Hawaii Hilo. Simpson is averaging 6.3 rebounds per game.

• After a very quiet night against Concordia-Irvine, sophomore forward Tony Miller finished with a game-high 22 points against Hawaii Hilo to go along with nine rebounds. Miller enters the week leading SPU with 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

• Seattle Pacific enters the week averaging 83 points and 41 rebounds per game. The Falcons are third in the GNAC in field goal shooting at .525 and third in field goal defense at .373. The Falcons are also second in the GNAC and 14th in Division II with 31.75 defensive rebounds per game and second in the GNAC with 4.25 blocked shots per game.

• Seattle Pacific will compete this weekend at the Westminster Thanksgiving Invitational in Salt Lake City. The Falcons face Dixie State on Friday and Westminster (Utah) on Saturday.

SIMON FRASER
• Simon Fraser is off to its best start as an NCAA Division II member, running its record to 4-0 with a 93-74 win over Capilano on Tuesday and a 103-53 win over Quest on Sunday.

• Senior guard/forward JJ Pankratz finished with 43 points in the two games to lead the Clan. He poured in 26 points on 12 of 19 from the field against Capilano and 17 points and six rebounds against Quest. Pankratz is eighth in the GNAC in scoring with 17.5 points per game

• Senior guard/forward Iziah Sherman-Newsome added 35 points in the two games and shot 63.6 percent from the field (14-22), finishing with 20 points against Capilano and 15 against Quest. Sherman-Newsome is ninth in GNAC in scoring with 17.3 points per game and is fifth with a .676 field goal percentage (25-37).

• Sophomore guard Michael Provenzano had 10 assists in the two games, eight of which came in the game against Quest. He is tied for first in the GNAC and 18th in Division II with 6.5 assists per game.

• The Clan is second in the GNAC and 26th in Division II in scoring, averaging 90.8 points per game, and is fifth in Division II in scoring margin at 27.5. The Clan also leads the GNAC and ranks seventh in Division II with 12.75 steals per game.

• Simon Fraser will have its biggest test of the season thus far in San Diego at the Point Loma Thanksgiving Classic. The Clan will face Azusa Pacific on Friday and host Point Loma on Saturday.

WESTERN OREGON
• Western Oregon improved to 4-0 with a pair of wins at its own Western Oregon D2 Shootout. The Wolves posted a 99-87 win over Azusa Pacific on Friday and a 97-86 win over Dixie State on Saturday.

• Senior guard Demetrius Trammell was named the GNAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he averaged 24 points per game and shot 70 percent from the field (14-20) and 70.6 percent from three-point range (12-17). Against Azusa Pacific, he came off the bench to lead all scorers with 24 points on 7 of 10 from the field, 6 of 8 from three-point range and 4 of 4 from the free throw line to go along with three steals. Trammell had another 24-point performance in Saturday’s win over Dixie State, making 7 of 10 from the field and 6 of 9 from three-point range. Trammell is fourth in the GNAC in scoring at 19.3 points per game and is second in the GNAC and third in Division II with a .677 three-point percentage.

• Senior forward Tanner Omlid had 34 points, 17 rebounds and seven steals in the two games. He finished with 15 points, five rebounds and five steals against APU and added 19 points, 12 rebounds and two steals against Dixie State. Omlid is eighth in the GNAC in rebounding at 7.5 boards per game and leads the GNAC and is sixth in Division II with 3.50 steals per game.

• Senior forward Vince Boumann had 33 points and went 13 of 15 from the field in the two games, led by 18 points against Azusa Pacific on 6 of 7 from the field. Boumann leads the GNAC and is second in Division II with an .808 field goal percentage (21-26).

• Western Oregon leads the GNAC and is seventh in Division II in scoring with 97.2 points per game. The Wolves also lead the league and is sixth in Division II with a .545 field goal percentage. Western is also the GNAC leader and second in Division II with a .504 three-point percentage.

• With the 4-0 record, Western Oregon is No. 15 in the NABC Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the D2SIDA Top-25.

• The Wolves play their first road games of the year this weekend, playing at Holy Names on Friday and at Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday.

WESTERN WASHINGTON
• Western Washington has not played since its 108-81 win over Douglas on Nov. 15. The Vikings will host UC San Diego and Capilano in the Chuck Randall Classic on Friday and Saturday.

• Sophomore forward Daulton Hommes was one of three WWU players named to the PacWest/GNAC Challenge All-Tournament Team after scoring 12 points against Notre Dame de Namur and going off for 22 points and nine rebounds against Hawaii Hilo. On Wednesday, Hommes added 26 points on 12 of 16 shooting against Douglas. Hommes is currently third in the GNAC with 19.3 points per game.

• Junior center Logan Schilder also earned All-Tournament Team honors. He led the Vikings with 12 points on 6 of 8 from the field against NDNU and had 15 points on 5 of 7 from the field and nine rebounds against Hawaii Hilo. Schilder is second in the GNAC and fifth in Division II in field goal shooting at 77.3 percent (17-22).

• Senior forward Deandre Dickson was also named to the All-Tournament Team and capped his opening weekend with a 19-point, 11-rebound performance against Hawaii Hilo.

• Western Washington is third in the GNAC in scoring at 90.3 points per game. The Vikings are 10th in Division II with 32.67 defensive rebounds per game and 15th in scoring margin at 21.7 points per game.