BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University men's basketball team lost 78-68 to the Alaska Nanooks in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Thursday night in the West Gym.

Simon Fraser was trailing by three, 49-46, at the 15:31 mark of the second half, when Alaska went on a 9-3 run to take a nine point lead and never looked back.  The Nanooks took their first double-digit lead at the 9:20 mark after a pair of free throws made it 63-52. Alaska maintained its double-figure advantage for nearly the remainder of the game, and went up a game-high 17 points with 2:42 left.

Alaska had to withstand one more SFU rally before capturing a 10-point road win.

Alaska led the Clan by three, 36-33, going into the locker room. The Nanooks led for the majority of the first 20 minutes, but never held more than a six-point lead.

The loss dropped Simon Fraser to 0-13 in the GNAC, and 1-18 on the year. The Nanooks are alone in fourth place in the GNAC with a 9-4 mark through 13 league games. The win also improves the Nooks overall season record to 15-6.

SFU forward Michael Harper scored 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, scoring 20-plus points for the fifth time this season. Oshea Gairey also reached double figures in scoring with 17.

Alaska's Almir Hadzisehovic scored a game-high 24 points. Alaska's Travante Williams tallied 13 points, all in the second half.

Simon Fraser was 23-of-56 from the field (41.1%). Alaska shot 50.8 percent as a team on the night, and had a 40-30 advantage in rebounds.

SFU plays Alaska Anchorage at home on Saturday.  The game will take place at 7PM in the West Gym.

Follow the SFU Clan men's basketball team on the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/SFU_MBB.

--@SFUClan--