Back at home, Alaska Anchorage faces the Cal. St. Fullerton Titans, who are 6-15 and 3-9 in the Big West. They also only have two 6'8 tall players in their frontcourt, so it's a good matchup for the Seawolves.
That doesn't lead to an immediate big lead for them, however, as they only lead 32-30 at halftime, with Matt Louis having 15 points.
But they pulled away in the second half, leading by over 20 with 7-8 minutes left, at which time a lineup of Strong, Fleming, Rowell, Haymon and Geyer was put in, closing out a 75-62 victory. Otis Strong, next season's favorite to be starting PG, had 6 points in 7 minutes, a good sign.
The second home game back is against UC Santa Barbara, who are 11-11 and 9-4 in the Big West.
In the first half it was close throughout, with the Seawolves falling behind the Gauchos late but eventually taking the lead back, leading 38-36 at halftime.
Fleming picked up his third foul, so more minutes for Omara at SG again with Crosby still playing a lot of SF. Crosby and Blake then picks up their fourth foul with 12 minutes left, which isn't ideal.
And.... with 10 minutes left Louis and Blake foul out. What is going on?????!!! At least Gaither got his first 20 point output of the year.
The backcourt tires, so for the first time this year, Otis Strong and Jeff Rowell get competitive minutes, while down 65-62 with 8:11 left in the game. And with a 6'11 center in and Louis fouled out, Geyer comes back into the rotation soon after. Fortunately one of their big men fouls out. But then Smiley fouls out with Crosby on 4 fouls. So Gaither and Louis will have to be our frontcourt for the rest of the game. Gaither tires, so Flemming and Crosby as the "forwards" is tried for a couple of possessions.
Ultimately, UC Santa Barbara is victorious, winning 78-75.
UAA has no Norton semifinalists, of course.
The recruiting efforts have shifted, with Kamouna being the main target as he is 6'10, 240 lb and at least will talk to recruiting coordinator Mike Dunlap and is more obtainable in general (689 vs 98) than Brown, though he will still be pursued. While Leep would be nice to have, a 6'1 SG who is still in the same star category as Kamouna is not a priority for a team lacking size and with too many guards.
Funnily, Brown responds to a text... but has to "run" and says TTYL on the first question. Welp. And Kamouna wouldn't even talk this week.