BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Nanooks men’s basketball team had a strong start against the Western Washington Vikings, leading by 15 points at one point. However, they couldn’t hold that advantage and lost 96-89, bringing their season record to 10-10 and 5-6 in GNAC play.
How It Went Down
The game kicked off with a three-pointer from Mike Miller, putting Alaska ahead early. Davis Crilly quickly followed with another three, giving the Nanooks a 6-2 lead. Western Washington responded, and after a series of back-and-forth plays, the Nanooks regained the lead, thanks to two three-pointers from Jalai O’Keith. They ended the first half up 47-37, shooting 61.5% from beyond the arc.
In the second half, Tariq Weiser scored two free throws, and O’Keith’s long-range shot extended their lead to 15 points. But the Vikings started to chip away at that lead. With just under eight minutes left, they tied the game at 73, then took the lead and ultimately won.
Game Stats
- Top Performers: Mike Miller led with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Jalai O’Keith added 20 points and seven rebounds.
- Team Shooting: The Nanooks shot 51.7% from the field and hit 50% of their three-pointers.
- Turnovers: Alaska had 14 turnovers, giving Western Washington a narrow edge in points off giveaways.
Looking Ahead
The Nanooks will return to Fairbanks for their upcoming games against Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington. This gives them a chance to regroup and push for a better season finish.
This season’s performance reflects a growing trend of competitive college basketball in the GNAC. Data shows that more teams are closely matched, making each game crucial. In past seasons, scores often had a wider gap, but now, excitement is high as teams battle it out.
For deeper insights, be sure to check out the latest from the NCAA on how team dynamics have shifted over the years.
Stay Connected
Follow the team for updates on social media:
- Instagram: @NanooksMBB
- Twitter: @NanooksMBB
- Facebook: Alaska Nanooks Men’s Basketball
