Men close decade with 89-71 triumph

ANCHORAGE – Junior forward Nick Pacitti came off the bench with 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists Thursday to boost the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team to an 89-71 victory over a hot-shooting Trinity International club at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The Seawolves (9-2) also got 15 points apiece from juniors Brandon Walker and Casey Robinson as they committed a season-low eight turnovers in stretching their winning streak to six games.

The Trojans (2-15), of Deerfield, Ill., came out with blazing shooting and finished 52 percent both overall and from the three-point line. Junior center Ignas Verbus and guard Tyrone Smith notched 21 points apiece for the NAIA club, which led through much of the first half and held a 47-42 lead with 17:30 to play.

After TIU took a 49-46 advantage on a Verbus jumper, UAA wrested control with a 9-0 run, capped by a fastbreak layup and a three-pointer from junior guard Kevin White (13 pts, 3-6 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists). The Seawolves finally stretched their lead permanently to double digits at 71-60 on a Walker three-pointer with 8:23 remaining.

Sophomore center Malcolm Campbell finished with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and five rebounds, while sophomore guard Steve White finished with five assists.

Pacitti, a 6-6, 225-pounder from Los Angeles, made an immediate impact after entering the game midway through the first half, shooting 6 of 11 overall, 4 of 5 from the free-throw stripe and committing no turnovers in 21 minutes. His 16 points and 11 boards represented his second double-double of the season.

UAA, wihch outrebounded the Trojans 40-21, ended the non-conference season perfect against in eight games against non-Division I competition.

The Seawolves begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 9, when they host Montana State Billings at the WFSC. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. AST.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Kevin White: G; 6' 4"; Freshman

#44 Casey Robinson: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#22 Brandon Walker: G; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#14 Steve White: G; 6' 0"; Freshman

#34 Nick Pacitti: F; 6' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Kevin White
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: G

#44 Casey Robinson
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#22 Brandon Walker
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: G

#14 Steve White
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: G

#34 Nick Pacitti
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F