The Basics

• Final Score: Alaska 87, No. 1/1 Western Oregon 78
• Records: Western Oregon 22-3, 15-2; Alaska 18-7, 12-5
• Loss snaps WOU 13-game winning streak
• Location: Fairbanks, Alaska – Alaska Airlines Court

 
How It Happened
Despite 25 points from Tanner Omlid and 16 points from Julian Nichols, Western Oregon was unable to comeback from a 14-point halftime deficit in an 87-78 loss on the road at Alaska on Thursday night.
 
The Wolves were able to close within three near the midway point of the second half, but timely Nanook 3-pointers and free throws down the stretch sealed the win.
 
Omlid's 25 points tied for the game-high and was his highest scoring game since opening the year with a 28-point performance against Point Loma (Nov. 13). For the game, he made 10-of-20 shots, including three threes to lead the way. Nichols hit all six of his foul shots in adding 16 points. Alex Roth had a pair of triples to score 23 points off the bench.
 
The Nanooks held WOU to its lowest scoring output in the first half with 25 points. It was the first time all season that the Wolves did not hit a 3-point bucket, going 0-of-11 over the first 20 minutes. Alaska opened the game on a 10-2 run and never saw their lead drop below five points. Two late Omlid lay-ups put the Wolves down by 14 at the break, 39-25.
 
To start the second half, WOU trimmed the lead down to six with a 13-7 run over the first 4:46. Jordan Wiley sparked the rally with the team's first make from downtown. Omlid closed out the spurt with eight straight points, including two deep shots.
 
From that point, the Nanooks went back up by double figures before WOU chipped away again over a 10-minute stretch to pull within five at 82-77. A late intentional foul against the Wolves allowed the Nanooks to score four consecutive points and cushion the advantage to the final margin of 10.
 
Devon Alexander led Western Oregon with eight rebounds and four assists.
 
Up Next
Western Oregon concludes its trip to the 49^th state with a Saturday matchup against Alaska Anchorage starting at 2 p.m. AT (3 p.m. Pacific).