FAIRBANKS – The Nanooks men’s basketball team celebrated a strong win against the Pacific Union Pioneers, scoring 110 to 70 in their second game of the season. This victory gives them a perfect start, with two wins out of two.
The excitement began right at the start when Luke Fotheringham scored just 14 seconds into the game. Tyriq Luke quickly followed with a layup and a three-pointer, putting the team ahead 7-2. As the game progressed, Tariq Weiser joined in with a three, making it 12-4. Although the Pioneers attempted to close the gap, back-to-back threes from Mike Miller extended the Nanooks’ lead to 20-11.
Jalai O’Keith played a significant role, scoring 12 points during an 18-8 run that gave Alaska a solid 46-23 lead with five minutes left in the first half. By halftime, the score stood at 61-35, with threes from Jeremiah Hersrud, Cortarius Mingo, and Tyriq Luke sealing a dominant performance.
In the second half, the Pioneers began with a quick run, but the Nanooks responded with consecutive threes from Weiser and O’Keith. By the 13:44 mark, Alaska was leading by 30 points thanks to a three-pointer from Luke and a fastbreak dunk by Miller. O’Keith continued the scoring with another three, bringing the lead to 35 points.
Finn Gregg contributed heavily in the final moments, scoring eight points before Mingo’s jumper solidified a comfortable 40-point lead at the end of the game.
Key Performers
- Jalai O’Keith led with 22 points, shooting well from the field and adding six rebounds.
- Tyriq Luke supported with 18 points, five assists, and six rebounds, continuing his strong start to the season.
- Mike Miller finished with 15 points, three assists, and three steals.
- Joel Amaro made an impact off the bench with 13 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
The Nanooks maintained a shooting percentage of 54.2% from the field and saved all 16 free throws, demonstrating their offense’s efficiency. They also outperformed the Pioneers in points off turnovers and in the paint, highlighting their dominance on the court.
Looking ahead, the team is set to travel to Anchorage for two matches against Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific this coming weekend. The first game is on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 5:15 p.m.
As the season progresses, both fans and analysts are keeping an eye on the Nanooks. Trends in their play suggest a focus on aggressive offense and strong teamwork, which could lead to success in tough competitions ahead.
