By Tim Peterson
(San Bernardino) – Koby Huerta hit a jumper with 54 seconds left in overtime to give Alaska Fairbanks a 72-71 win over Azusa Pacific Saturday night in the second of the NCAA Division 2 Tournament at Cal State San Bernardino.
Azusa Pacific had one last chance in overtime but the Cougars couldn’t get off a shot. McKelary Robertson tried to make a move and dribbled to the left side of the key but got trapped and the ball was knocked away as the clock ran out.
Robertson hit a three pointer with five seconds left in regulation to tie it at 65 and send the game into overtime.
The Cougars led most of the evening but with Alaska Fairbanks down by two Shadeed Shabazz went on a personal 7-0 run to put the Nanooks up 63-58 with 44 seconds left. He had a steal and a bucket, a three pointer and another driving basket. Alaska had its chance to ice it by hitting their free throws but wasn’t able to take advantage. Robertson made the Nanooks pay with the three.
Ken West got started early hitting his first two shots including a three and Azusa Pacific jumped out to an 11-5 lead.
APU maintained the lead at 17-12 at a timeout at the 11:25 mark. Alaska battled back to tie it at 25 behind the sharp shooting of Abdullahi Mohamed who was doing damage outside and inside.
West remained hot throughout the first half hitting 7 of 8 from the field including 4 of 5 from three-point land for 22 points. Justin Hemsley was the next highest scorer for the Cougars with 4 as the Cougs took a 35-32 lead into the half.
Mohamed led Alaska with 12 in the first half and Huerta had 10.
Hemsley hit a couple of threes to open the second half for APU and Mohamed did his thing inside to keep Alaska close. Terrance Becvar came off the bench to score five quick points as the Cougars extended their lead to 49-38 with 12:43 left.
The Nanooks immediately responded with six straight points to cut it to five at 49-44. APU was still clinging to the lead late in the game until Shabazz went off and it was back and forth the rest of the way.
West, who had 13 points Friday night in the win over Point Loma, led all scorers with 29 for Azusa Pacific. Hemsley finished with 12 and Becvar had 10.
For the victorious Nanooks, Shabazz led the team with 28, Huerta and Mohamed each had 20.
Alaska Fairbanks now advances in the Division 2 Tournament while the Cougars season comes to an end. They finished 21-10 overall.
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