Hamilton scores 36 in opener of Great Alaska Shootout

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Blake Hamilton scored 29 of his 36 points in the second half, Nick Perkins had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Buffalo beat Alaska Anchorage 85-79 on Wednesday night in the opener of the Great Alaska Shootout.

Perkins missed the second of two free throws with 1:07 left but he grabbed the rebound. After a timeout, Buffalo turned it over and Augustus Simmers made two free throws to pull to 76-73.

Hamilton went 1 of 2 at the line with 43.2 seconds left, Alaska turned it over and Hamilton made two more free throws for a five-point lead.

Willie Conner added 12 points for Buffalo (3-1), which played its first game in the state of Alaska. The Bulls will play their next five games away from home.

Hamilton was 3 of 9 from the field in the first half and 9 of 15 in the second.

Diante Mitchell had 17 points and seven assists for Alaska Anchorage.