Box Score

Fairbanks, Alaska - The SBU Bearcats men's basketball team had four players in double figures as they take the first game of the Alaska Invitational Tournament 81-68 over the host school, Alaska-Fairbanks. The Bearcats came ready to play, and were also prepared for the negative 42 degree temperature, as they won the first of three games set to be played in Alaska this weekend.

The Bearcats would lead by as many as 15 in the first half, and 23 in the second half, to cruise to the 13 point victory. Preston Guiot continues his impressive freshman campaign, and Ryan Dougherty continues to shoot lights out from three this season. Dougherty gave the Bearcats 18 points, a team high 6 rebounds, and tied a career high with 6 three-pointers, while Guiot added 19 points and 7 assists. Robson Memnon also had 18 points for SBU, and Kyle Sloan added 10.

The Bearcats held the Nanooks to 36.9% shooting, and allowed only 68 points, producing a great team defensive effort. "We had to really watch their guards who can drive to the basket," head coach Jeff Guiot commented on the Bearcats defensive strategy. "Our goal for them was to get them to shoot from the outside."

As a team, the Bearcats shot 50.9% from the field, and 44.0% from beyond the arc, combing great defense with excellent outside shooting. SBU hit 11 three-pointers, the third straight game with double-digit three's. "The bottom line is that we want to put the ball in the basket," Coach Guiot commented about the offensive strategy. "Tonight, when we would punch the ball in to our big guys, their defense collapsed and made it possible for our guys to get some good looks from the perimeter."

Senior guard, Ryan Dougherty, acknowledged the team played well, but understands there is room for improvement: "Like Coach Guiot said, we got the ball into our post players, who would kick it out when their defense collapsed, and we had some 3's open up as a result. We tried to take care of the ball and use the clock late in the game, but I know we had too many turnovers in the 1st half."

The Bearcats are set to play Lindenwood University, a future MIAA opponent, tonight at 6:00 p.m. CST for the second game of the Alaska Invitational Tournament. Live stats and live video are available for the game against the Lions. You can also follow SBU AD, Mike Pitts, on Twitter @ad_at_sbu for live score updates at all home and away games he attends.