Scoreboard

UAA muzzles Mustangs in AT&T Jamboree

Men's Basketball UAA Media Relations

Walker, Seawolves stifle Nanooks

FAIRBANKS – Brandon Walker scored 20 points and the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team used its best defensive effort ever against rival Alaska Fairbanks to post a 56-42 victory at the Patty Center on Saturday.

The Seawolves (13-6, 4-4 GNAC) also got 11 points from junior guard Donnie Lao as they snapped a three-game losing streak and evened their Great Northwest Athletic Conference mark at the midway point of the schedule.

UAA – ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Div. II West Region – plays five of its eight remaining regular-season contests at home.

The Nanooks (6-12, 1-8) were led by 13 points from junior forward Nashorn Maynard, but the hosts shot just 32 percent from the field and 12 percent on three-pointers. UAF's previous low point total in 86 all-time games UAA against came in a 96-45 loss on Feb. 24, 2001.

Despite entering the game with seven straight wins over the Nanooks, however, the Seawolves fell behind 14-2 early Saturday before regaining their composure. Lao drained a three-pointer to even the game at 18-18, and Walker then led a UAA run that produced a 29-20 lead with 19 minutes remaining.

The Seawolves used a 40-31 rebounding advantage to keep the Nanooks at bay in the second half, keeping the game a double-digit affair for the final 14:26.

Walker, a 6-3 junior swingman, was easily the offensive star of the game, sinking 5 of 9 shots from the field and 9 of 10 at the free-throw line. He also tied with teammate Nick Pacitti and UAF's Joe Powell for game-high rebounding honors with eight.

Lao shot 3 of 7 from long range and sank both of his free throws to improve his season average to .943 at the charity stripe. Pacitti added eight points and a block off the bench.

UAA returns to action Thursday when its hosts nationally ranked Western Washington in a crucial GNAC contest at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. AST.
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Brandon Walker

#22 Brandon Walker

G
6' 3"
Sophomore
Donnie Lao

#30 Donnie Lao

G
6' 3"
Junior
Nick Pacitti

#34 Nick Pacitti

F
6' 6"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brandon Walker

#22 Brandon Walker

6' 3"
Sophomore
G
Donnie Lao

#30 Donnie Lao

6' 3"
Junior
G
Nick Pacitti

#34 Nick Pacitti

6' 6"
Junior
F