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Seawolves outlast Crusaders for 2-0 GNAC start

Men's Basketball UAA Media Relations

Seawolves outlast Crusaders for 2-0 GNAC start

ANCHORAGE – Alaska Anchorage got huge performances from the junior trio of Diante Mitchell, Corey Hammell and Sekou 'Suki' Wiggs to pull away for a 90-78 men's basketball victory over Northwest Nazarene on Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Mitchell scored 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting and added four assists as the Seawolves (8-4, 2-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) earned their sixth straight home win against the visitors from Nampa, Idaho. Hammell collected 17 points and 17 rebounds, and Wiggs approached triple-double territory with 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The Crusaders (3-2, 0-2) were led by 24 points from forward Detwon Rogers but their late comeback attempt would come up short.

UAA led 20-18 midway through the first half before taking control with an 18-4 surge. The Seawolves took their largest lead at 54-33 on a three-pointer by Mitchell with 17 minutes remaining before the Crusaders started slowly shaving their deficit.

After NNU crept within 78-73 on two free throws by Rogers with 3:20 left, UAA's Spencer Svejcar hit two free throws and Hammell followed with a three-pointer to keep the visitors at bay.

Svejcar finished with 12 points and senior forward Christian Leckband was the fifth Seawolf in double figures with 10 points.

Mitchell and Hammell – both junior-college transfers – stayed hot from the field all day, combining to shoot 14 of 19, including 5 of 6 from long range. Hammell's 17 rebounds were the most for a Seawolf since Brandon Walker had 17 against Lincoln Christian on Jan. 3, 2009, and it marked his seventh double-double in just 12 games as a Seawolf.

Meanwhile, Wiggs extended his UAA record with his 12th straight 20-plus scoring effort, converting 9 of 12 free throws in the victory.

Up next, UAA takes a 25-day break from league play, with a non-conference game against Northwest Indian on the docket for Dec. 14 at the Alaska Airlines Center.


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Players Mentioned

Christian Leckband

#1 Christian Leckband

F
6' 5"
Freshman
Corey Hammell

#25 Corey Hammell

F
6' 6"
Junior
Diante Mitchell

#11 Diante Mitchell

G
6' 1"
Junior
Spencer Svejcar

#20 Spencer Svejcar

G
6' 4"
Junior
Sekou

#2 Sekou 'Suki' Wiggs

G
6' 4"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Christian Leckband

#1 Christian Leckband

6' 5"
Freshman
F
Corey Hammell

#25 Corey Hammell

6' 6"
Junior
F
Diante Mitchell

#11 Diante Mitchell

6' 1"
Junior
G
Spencer Svejcar

#20 Spencer Svejcar

6' 4"
Junior
G
Sekou

#2 Sekou 'Suki' Wiggs

6' 4"
Junior
G