ANCHORAGE - The University of Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team took a two-game lead in the Pacific West Conference's Pacific Division with a 117-96 victory over Montana State-Billings at the Sports Center tonight.

Guards Taylor Wagner and Ed Kirk scored 30 and 25 points respectively as UAA (16-7, 10-4 PWC) overcame a 39-point effort from Montana State-Billings center Dan Carter. The Yellowjackets fell to 16-7, 8-6.

UAA senior forward Greg Freeman posted his third consecutive double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. He also dished three assists and snagged three steals. Sophomore guard Cody Gallatin chipped in with a career-high 17 points and six assists, while senior center Shaun O'Shea had career-bests of seven points and eight rebounds.

The Seawolves took control in the first half, taking a 56-49 advantage into the locker room when Wagner canned his sixth three-pointer of the period with three seconds showing. But Billings, which entered the game averaging an NCAA Division II-best 97.1 points per game, hung close in the second half and trailed only 83-73 with 10:28 to go.

Gallatin then sparked the Seawolves, knocking down two free throws and a three-pointer and dishing an assist to O'Shea for a monster dunk. That began a 21-6 run that sealed the game. UAA went over the century mark with 7:00 left.

The scoring effort was UAA's highest this season marked the 16th consecutive game the Seawolves have topped 80 points, a school-record streak.

Kirk, the Pac West's leading scorer and assist man, had eight assists and only one turnover, while hitting all 11 of his free throws. The Seawolves outscored the Yellowjackets 28-5 from the line and outrebounded them 43-38. UAA's 27 assists were a team season-high.

The Seawolves and Yellowjackets meet again Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Sports Center.