SEATTLE (Feb. 16) – Rob Will's 18 points and 10 rebounds propelled the Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team to a 83-76 win over Northwest Nazarene in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Saturday night at Brougham Pavilion.

The Falcons (8-4, 16-5) move a game ahead of NNU (7-5, 15-6) and now stand all alone in third place in conference play. 

Will scored 16 second half points, seven in the final two minutes alone, keeping the Crusaders' rally effort at bay.  After Adam Shildmyer nailed a three-pointer to bring NNU within three at 76-73, Marques Echols found Will unguarded in the front court as the Crusaders full-court press lost sight of the Falcon big man.

Will hit the lay-up and was fouled, converting the three-point play to put the Falcons back in front by a comfortable six point with just over 20 seconds remaining.

NNU clawed back to within three via Justin Parnell's three-pointer but free-throws by Casey Reed and Will sealed the win for SPU.

It was the Crusaders who jumped out to the early lead as Louie Beech's lay-up capped a 12-0 run to put NNU up 29-18.

SPU rallied to draw even at 35-35 as Brandon Larrieu was fouled going to the bucket, hitting he lay-in and the free-throw for a three-point play.  NNU took a 40-39 halftime lead as Justin Parnell hit three free-throws after being fouled while shooting beyond the arch.

Three other Falcons joined Will in scoring double-digits as Reed,  Larrieu, and Jared Moultrie all finished with 11 points.

Shildmyer  and Beech led NNU with 14 points apiece while Joel Ryman hit three from long range on the way to 12 points.  Justin Parnell and Kendall Gielow each tallied a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Parnell came just two assists shy of a triple-double, finishing with eight assists. 

The Falcons hit the road next week to play Saint Martin's (2/21) and Western Oregon (2/23).