FAIRBANKS, Alaska. — For the first 25 minutes, the Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team appeared in control of Thursday's game against the University of Alaska. But what control it did have disappeared in an 18–0 run midway through the second half that led the host Nanooks to an 80–73 win in game two of the GCI Alaska Invitational at The Patty Center.

CSUMB (1–1 overall) led 52–46 with the ball and less than 14 minutes to play when the game slipped away. The Otters missed their next six shots from the floor just as Alaska began to heat up. The run left Alaska with a 64–52 lead.
The Otters quickly got the deficit back to single digits, cutting the lead to five four times in the final six minutes, but they could draw no closer.

“We got a bit stagnant in the second half, and with eight or nine new players, that can happen,” said CSUMB Head Coach Rob Bishop. “We've got to do a better job in certain aspects of our offense and we will.

“But give credit to Alaska for doing some good things. It was their home opener and I told our guys, “Remember how you felt last Sunday? That's how they're going to feel tonight,'” Bishop added, referring to CSUMB's 104–52 home–opening win against Pacifica University.

CSUMB placed five scorers in double figures, led by senior guard Brandon Ward with 14 points. The Otters also got 11 rebounds from senior forward Derrick Anderson.

Stefan Tica led Alaska (2–1) with 16 points. Pat Voeut added 15 points and a game–high seven assists.

CSUMB returns to action Friday afternoon when it plays Colorado Christian at 4 p.m. (PST). The Otters will close play at the GCI Alaska Invitational Saturday against Oklahoma Panhandle.