The Nikiski boys basketball team opened up their season with a 73-53 nonconference loss to Mt. Edgecumbe on Wednesday in Sitka.
The Bulldogs are in Southeast for the Holland America Tournament in Sitka. Nikiski opens play at the tournament today against Bethel at 3:45 p.m.
Nikiski led 15-14 after the first period, but the Braves stormed to a 43-32 lead at halftime.
Jamal Alstrom paced Mt. Edgecumbe with 31 points, while Isaiah Rexford added 12 and Al Samuelson had 10 points.
For Nikiski, Ian Johnson pumped in 18 points, while Jace Kornstad added 17 points before fouling out.
Wednesday
Braves 73, Bulldogs 53
Nikiski 15 17 7 14 — 53
Mt. Edgecumbe 14 29 14 16 — 73
NIKISKI (53) — Johnson 6 5-9 18, Weathers 3 0-0 9, Kornstad 6 2-3 17, Handley 1 0-0 2, Litke 1 1-2 4, Mysing 0 0-0 0, Desienna 0 0-0 0, Bridges 0 0-2 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, Eiter 1 1-4 3. Totals — 18 9-20 53.
MT. EDGECUMBE (73) — Ivanoff 3 0-0 8, Alstrom 9 9-10 31, Edwards-Johnson 0 0-0 0, Dunaway 1 1-2 3, Evans 2 0-0 4, Rexford 4 1-1 12, Brown 2 0-0 4, Samuelson 3 2-3 10, Exe 0 1-2 1. Totals — 24 14-18 73.
3-point goals — Nikiski 8 (Weathers 3, Kornstad 3, Johnson, Litke); Mt. Edgecumbe 11 (Alstrom 4, Rexford 3, Samuelson 2, Ivanoff 2). Team fouls — Nikiski 18, Mt. Edgecumbe 18. Fouled out — Kornstad, Dunaway.
