The Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball team lost their opening game at the Sprite Tundra Tip-Off to Westmont, with a final score of 72-66. The match took place in Anchorage and marked the fifth game of the season for both teams, each holding a record of 2-3.
Alaska started strong, taking an early lead thanks to three-point shooting from Tyriq Luke and Davis Crilly. Jalai O’Keith added two more three-pointers, pushing the Nanooks ahead 17-8 before Westmont responded with a 10-point run to erase the deficit. By halftime, Westmont led 33-31 after a back-and-forth first half.
In the second half, Crilly quickly put Alaska back in front with another three-pointer. However, Westmont answered with a six-point run and maintained a narrow advantage through much of the period. The Nanooks kept pace as Mike Miller scored inside and at the free throw line while Luke Fotheringham completed a three-point play to close the gap.
Crilly eventually hit another three-pointer to give Alaska a brief lead at 62-61 with just under six minutes left. After Westmont reclaimed control with five straight points, free throws by Tariq Weiser and O’Keith tied it at 66. In the final two minutes, however, Alaska failed to score while Westmont sealed the win by making six consecutive free throws.
Davis Crilly was Alaska’s top scorer with 19 points on efficient shooting from both inside and beyond the arc. He also contributed four rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals. Jalai O’Keith and Tyriq Luke each added 16 points; O’Keith collected eight rebounds while Luke finished with two boards. Tariq Weiser led all players in assists with seven.
As a team, Alaska shot just under 33 percent from the field but managed nearly 36 percent on three-pointers and converted almost 79 percent of their free throws. The Nanooks had advantages in several statistical categories including points off turnovers (16-10), second-chance points (10-8), bench scoring (19-9), and fast break points (9-7). However, they were outscored significantly in points in the paint (34-14) and outrebounded by Westmont (41 to 37). The contest featured nine lead changes overall.
Alaska will conclude its participation in the Sprite Tundra Tip-Off tomorrow afternoon against Cal Poly Humboldt.
