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March 8, 2008 Fairbanks, AK – The University of Alaska Fairbanks battled their way back to tie the game on a last second shot and force overtime against Saints Martin’s but the Saints held their ground to earn the 92-88 win in their final game of the season Saturday at the Patty Center. The Saints held on to an 81-78 lead in the final seconds of regulation but a three by UAF’s Colin Matteson with five seconds on the clock tied it at 81 all and forced overtime. Saint Martin’s scored first in the extra period and never relinquished the lead to the Nanooks. Fairbanks seemed to answer every shot the Saints made but could never overtake them. The Saints led by two with nine seconds to play. UAF then fouled sending Bill Richardson to the line. He sank both shots to account for the final. Jake Linton poured in a game high 32 points for the Saints and was 16-16 from the line. Richardson added 23 points on 8-16 from the field and 7-7 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down a team high nine rebounds. Justin Alexander was the final Saints in double figures on the night with 14 points. “We got a little tired in the second half but the kids responded well in overtime. They got some good shots and big rebounds. Overall just another great team effort,” said head coach Keith Cooper. The Saints went to the line 38 times in the game and took full advantage sinking 31 of their shots. Saint Martin’s maintained a 43-34 lead at the break and built it to as much as 18 in the second half. But a 21-4 run by the Nanooks, in which they sank five consecutive threes, would pull them to within one with just over a minute to play. Matteson led Fairbanks with 31 points while Nashorn Maynard pulled down a game high 17 boards. “We accomplished some good things this year,” said Cooper. “This game was a good way to send out Brendan Campbell who has really been the foundation of this program the last few years and has helped build a good platform for our guys.” The Saints finish the season 15-11 overall and 8-10 in the GNAC.
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