LACEY, Wash. - Senior guard Taylor Wagner scored a career-high 27 points to power the University of Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team to a 96-83 victory over Saint Martin's in the Seawolves' conference opener here tonight.

Wagner shot 7-of-10 on three-pointers as the Seawolves (7-3, 1-0 Pac West) made 11 of their 20 long-range shots. Andrew Brogden led the Saints (5-6, 0-2) with 21 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

UAA was magnificent protecting the basketball, committing a season-low five turnovers. Senior point guard Ed Kirk scored 15 points, dished seven assists and grabbed six rebounds. Greg Freeman (15 points) and Peter Bullock (14) joined Wagner and Kirk in double figures. Wagner played the entire 40 minutes, snagging three steals as well.

The Seawolves were badly outrebounded, 44-28, but made up for it by hitting an impressive 55 percent (33-60) from the field.

UAA completes its short road trip Saturday when it visits Central Washington for a 6 p.m. AST tip. UAA is ranked fifth in the latest West Regional poll, while Central is third.