Seawolves outlast Bobcats, 71-56

FAIRBANKS (Dec. 13) – Kenny Barker scored 20 of his game-high 26 points in the second half Saturday to help the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team pull away for 71-56 victory over St. Thomas in the Glacier Classic at the Patty Center.

Sophomore guard Lonnie Ridgeway added a career-high 14 points for UAA (3-5), which won for the third straight time thanks to 56.5 percent shooting.

St. Thomas (4-4), an NAIA program from Miami Gardens, Fla., was led by 19 points from forward Cesar Chavez and 12 points from forward Timothy Cornelius.

Although the Seawolves led through much of the first half, they were never able to pull away and went into the locker room tied 35-35.

St. Thomas took an early 40-37 advantage after the break, but UAA answered with an 18-5 run to take the lead for good. The Seawolves, who also got 12 points (6-10 FG) and six rebounds from center Jeremiah Trueman, were able to extend the advantage slowly from that point to avoid the upset.

Barker, a 6-3 senior guard, finished with 9-of-15 shooting and made 6 of 7 from the free throw line, while also grabbing a team-best four steals. Other big contributors for the Seawolves included Brandon Walker with nine points and eight rebounds, plus fellow sophomore guard Kevin White with eight points and a career-high seven assists.

UAA will return to action Tuesday and Wednesday at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex when its hosts fellow Division II program Saint Leo, also from Florida, in a pair of 7 p.m. tips.