Nanooks edge Thunderwolves in OT

ANCHORAGE – Dominique Brinson scored 20 points and Zach Ngawaka posted a big double-double Friday to lead Alaska Fairbanks to an 80-76 overtime victory over Colorado State-Pueblo in the opening game of the AT&T Jamboree at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.

The Nanooks (1-0) got 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and 16 rebounds from Ngawaka, who had the go-ahead basket as he sparked his team to a 7-0 run to start the extra session.

The Thunderwolves (0-1), from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, were led by 22 points and nine rebounds from forward J.J. Mina, who knocked down 4 of 8 three-pointers.

In a game that featured eight ties and 16 lead changes in regulation, CSU-Pueblo took a late 68-66 lead on a backdoor layup by Jed Knafelc with 32 seconds left. UAF point guard Pat Voeut would answer with the tying free throws just 11 seconds later, however, and the Thunderwolves could not convert a layup in the closing moments.

The Nanooks led throughout the overtime session, although CSU-Pueblo shaved a seven-point deficit down to 77-76 in the final minute before falling shy.

UAF will play its second and final AT&T Jamboree contest Saturday at 3 p.m. against Colorado Christian, while CSU-Pueblo will face host Alaska Anchorage in the event's finale Saturday at 5 p.m.

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