FAIRBANKS, Alaska --- The Western Oregon men's basketball team dropped it's road game against Alaska 87-72 Thursday in the Patty Center.

The Wolves (2-8 overall, 0-1 GNAC) started the first 10 minutes in a close battle with the Nanooks (5-3, 1-0) before entering halftime down 17 at 48-31. In the second half WOU closed to within 14 of Alaska on a layup by Carson Frincke with 7:38 remaining but were unable to fully close the gap, falling to the Nanooks in the opening game of the Wolves' GNAC slate.

Jason Gallant scored a WOU-high 20 points while Anjay Cortez picked up 14 - going a perfect 6-for-6 from the line - alongside four rebounds. Zach Moore finished with 10 points plus team-best seven rebounds and four assists. Mario Williams Jr. picked up 15 points and Makaio Mims picked up 10 points and three assists.

The Wolves next travel to Anchorage, continuing GNAC play against UAA at 6:15 p.m. PT Saturday.