FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Northwest Nazarene men's basketball withstood everything that Alaska Fairbanks could give them on Thursday night, holding off the Nanooks in double overtime for a 96-93 win.
 
The Nighthawks improve to 8-5 overall on the season and 4-1 in GNAC play with the big road victory.
 
NNU has now played just two double overtime games in it's 23-year history in the Division II and has won both of them, with the other coming just last season when they defeated Cal State LA 87-82 on the road.
 
NNU fell behind 8-4 early, but quickly rallied to take an 11-10 lead on a pair of free throws from Christian Rose. The Nighthawks led by as many as nine in the first half before taking a five-point lead into the break at 38-33.
 
The Nighthawks built the lead out to 12 midway through the second half, with Ryzin Bergersen's floater at the 11:15 mark making it 59-47.
 
UAF would come alive, though, going on a 13-0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes of the game at 60-59 with 7:20 left.
 
NNU quickly grabbed the advantage back, and would still lead by five, 74-69, after a Ryzin Bergersen triple with 1:22 remaining. The Nanooks scored the last five points of regulation, however, to send the game to overtime.
 
The Nighthawks were able to take the lead late in the first extra period, holding an 85-82 advantage after a Tru Allen jumper with 65 seconds to go. UAF converted three free throws over the final stretch, though, to send the game to a second overtime tied at 85.
 
A pair of buckets from Allen and Rayzhon Bergersen put NNU up four just over a minute into double OT. UAF clawed back to even things up once again at 91 with a minute to play, but Jaylen Fox responded with a huge, clutch triple from the corner to put the Nighthawks up 94-91 with 35 seconds left.
 
The Nanooks cut the deficit to one with a layup, but Ryzin Bergersen sank a pair of free throws to build it back up to three and a late three-point heave from UAF missed the mark to give NNU the hard-fought victory.
 
Bergersen led the Nighthawks with a career-high 25 points along with four rebounds and three steals. Tru Allen added 16 points, six boards, and three assists.
 
All five starters scored double figures, with Gabriel Murphy at 17, Jaylen Fox 12, and Christian Rose 11. Rayzhon Bergersen also dished out a career-best six assists.
 
NNU will continue their Alaska road trip on Saturday when they visit Alaska Anchorage at 7:30 p.m. Alaska time (9:30 p.m. Mountain).
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