BP Top of the World Classic recap
BP Top of the World Classic recap
Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
11/22/05
The University of Alaska Fairbanks had a great showing at the 10th annual BP Top of the World Classic last weekend at the Carlson Center, placing fourth overall in the NCAA pre-season tournament.
UAF Nanooks vs Montana State Bobcats
On Saturday night, sophomore Kenny Barker had a career-high 14 points and hit eight of 10 free throws in the game’s final three minutes to lead the Nanooks to a 65-62 victory over Division I Montana State University.
Freshman Austin Autry scored 12 points in the first half. With the Bobcats leading 20-16, Autry hit a three-pointer and scored the go-ahead basket with a layup following a steal by senior Andrew Smith.
Down by three with 2:12 left in regulation, Smith connected for two of his nine points to draw the ’Nooks to within one. Barker was fouled with 42 seconds remaining and hit both free throws to give UAF the lead for good. Smith finished the game with a career-high 12 rebounds and Autry finished with a career-high 15 points.
For UAF, the win marked their first victory in the TOWC since the Nanooks defeated Texas San Antonio, 66-48 in the opening game of the 2003 tournament.
Watch a video clip of UAF Nanooks vs Montana State Bobcats
Watch a video clip of UAF Nanooks vs Montana State
UAF Nanooks vs Kennesaw State Owls
On Sunday, the Nanooks faced Kennesaw State in the fourth-place game of the TOWC. Senior forward Andrew Smith scored a game-high 20 points and tied a career high with 12 rebounds to lead UAF to a 78-65 victory. With the win, the Nanooks improve to 2-1 on the season while dropping Kennesaw State’s record to 1-2.
The Nanooks trailed just once the entire game, with the Owls taking a brief 3-2 lead early in the contest. Junior Alec Von Tellrop hit a three-pointer to put the ’Nooks up for good as they built a 14-point lead on two occasions. KSU continued to battle back the entire second half until they were within five points, but would get no closer.
UAF shot a blistering 89.3 percent from the free-throw line, connecting on 25 of 28 attempts and the players off the Nanooks bench outscored the Owl’s bench 35-18. The boys in blue and gold are now 10-20 all-time in the BP Top of the World tournament.
2006 Top of the World Classic field named
The field for the 2006 BP Top of the World Classic was announced during halftime of the championship game between Denver and Illinois-Chicago, won by Denver.
UAF will again be joined by seven NCAA Division I teams in the 2006 BP TOWC Nov. 16-19, 2006 at the Carlson Center.
The University of Rhode Island, Utah State University, Drake University, Troy University, Southeast Missouri State University, Centenary College and Weber State University will join the Nanooks in comprising the tournament field.
BP will again be the title sponsor for the tournament, marking their seventh year as the title sponsor for the TOWC.