Smith's hot shooting helps NIU pull away

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Reserve Sean Smith hit four 3-pointers in a decisive four-minute span late in the second half to give Northern Illinois enough of a cushion to hold off host Alaska-Anchorage 71-68 on Friday in the consolation bracket of the Great Alaska Shootout.

Smith matched his career high with 19 points, hitting 5 of 6 shots from behind the 3-point line. Smith's 3-pointer with 7:15 left gave the Huskies the lead for good at 53-51. Najul Ervin then scored in the lane for NIU, and Smith added 2 more baskets from deep as the Huskies (3-3) outscored UAA 19-4 during a stretch of almost six minutes.

Darion Anderson scored a game-high 25 points for NIU.

Kenny Barker led the Seawolves (0-5) with 20 points before fouling out in the final seconds. The Seawolves trimmed a 12-point deficit to 5 in the final minute but could get no closer than the final score after Kevin White's 3-pointer at the buzzer.

White finished with 12 points for UAA, which will play in the fifth-place game today.

Anderson's 9 points in the first half kept NIU close. The Huskies trailed 31-25 at the half but tied it at 42-42 on Jeremy Landers' steal and layup with 11:30 left. Then Smith got hot from deep as UAA's offense went stagnant.

Sean Kowal added 11 points for the Huskies, who will play for fourth place today.

Brandon Walker had 14 points and 9 rebounds off the bench for UAA. Jeremiah Trueman added 10 points.