The Nanooks went up against archrival UAA Seawolves on Saturday, but after a promising first half gave up 75-85 in the second half.

"Our weaknesses tonight are the weaknesses we showed all year," said head coach Frank Ostanik.

Ostanik, speaking in a quiet tone with his jacket off and tie loosened, looked visibly defeated.

"I felt that we didn't let down just our city but our entire state," he said.

Ostanik was of course referring to not just the game but also to the 'Nooks rocky journey of players dropping out this season for one reason or another.

When it came down to this Saturday, the 'Nooks were playing with a bruise and battered team of essentially seven players with five on the bench.

In contrast, the Seawolves had nine on court and six on the bench.

"I'm to blame when it comes down to it," Ostanik said, alluding to recruiting methods and keeping quality players. "Not my players, me."

Of the players that did stay, no other could have shined more than senior Jushay Rockett.

He scored 32 points, three assist, three blocks and four saves.

"Tough times don't last, tough people do," Rockett said.

Ostanik acknowledged Rockett's great performance.

"We probably wouldn't have won seven games without Jushay," he said.

Starting the first half off to a Patty Center rarely seen packed to the rafters, Rockett drove hard down the inside line to score a two-pointer off the backboard while flying backwards towards the net.

Keeping the game tight, the 'Nooks continued to rally behind Rockett after watching him slam a huge dunk with an assist from Kenny Barker later in the period.

But while offense was keeping the Seawolves on their toes, an obvious defensive break left the center free-throw line wide open allowing, allowing UAA to capitalize on two-pointers more than once.

Ostanik, in a show of disgust, stomped on the court floor hard enough for the entire Patty Center to hear. He called a timeout around the first period's half.

But even with Ostanik's words of encouragement and harsh criticisms, the 'Nooks failed to keep the big point gap they had with the Seawolves earlier in the game.

UAA closed the half 38-34.

UAA's Carl Arts set the second half's tone early by rattling off five points with a jumping two-pointer followed up by a clean three-point swish. The advantage turned to the Seawolves, 38-39.

UAF battled back for the next ten minutes. Rockett scored a deep three-pointer, bringing the score 51-50. The Nanooks kept the advantage until a tie of 56-56.

The 'Nooks were then able to come from behind and tie again 60-60. But for the last seven minutes the 'Nooks stayed in the hole.

Much of the Seawolves' credit had to go to 6-foot, 6-inch forward Arts, who scored the team high of 22 points and provided a menacing presence with his protective mask and eight rebounds.

The Seawolves as a team also sunk 69.2 percent of their two-pointers in the second half and 91.7 percent game total on free throws.

In comparison, the 'Nooks only managed to sink a 43.8 percent game total of their two-points even though the 'Nooks out shot the 'Wolves 64 to 49.

"We don't defend at critical junctures," Ostanik said.

He reiterated his statement that this was his fault and that the team members that did stay the entire year.

"I couldn't be more proud of our guys," he said.

Ostanik complimented Rockett, saying no doubt that he would definitely go on to play professionally and that he was a very gifted player.

Rockett boasted that he stayed in the gym the previous night and probably would again that night, working on his aim and his overall game.

"I ain't taken no days off," he said.

"It was the end of something good," he added. "It's time to work on something