Seniors Go Out in Style as SPU Upsets No. 9 UAA

Seniors go out in style with win over nationally ranked Seawolves

3/1/2008 11:37:58 PM

SEATTLE (Mar. 1) – Rob Will hit his first eight field goals and finished with 20 points as Seattle Pacific University celebrated Senior Night in fine fashion, knocking off No. 9 Alaska Anchorage 65-58 in GNAC action Saturday night at Brougham Pavilion.

Will, playing his final game on the home court, finished a near perfect 21 for 22 for the weekend and hit his last shot against Western Oregon a week ago to set a new GNAC record for consecutive shots made at 22, breaking the old mark of 18 set by Yuri Whyms of Western Oregon in 2002.

JoJay Jackson delivered the knockout blow for the Falcons (11-5, 19-6), taking a feed from fellow senior Marques Echols and draining a three-pointer from the top of the key to put SPU ahead 62-59 with 1:06 to play.

After Carl Arts and Chris Bryant both missed on three-point attempts Echols hit 3 of 4 free-throw to ice the game and hand the Seawolves (14-2, 23-5) just their second conference loss.

Will scored 11 of his points in the first half but it was UAA who took a 35-31 lead into break after Luke Cooper slashed to the bucket for an easy lay-in to end the half.

Bryant nailed a deep three to open the half and put the Seawolves in front 38-31.  The Falcons responded with a 19-5 run fueled by seven points from Will and a three from Jared Moultrie with the shot clock winding down to put SPU in front 50-43. 

Carl Arts kept UAA close by scoring seven points down the stretch.  Bryant hit his second three of the game to cut the Falcon lead to 59-56 and just a one-possession game.

With UAA forced to provide help on Will posting up on the low block, Jackson was left alone at the top of the key to send the seal the Senior Night win for SPU.

Will tallied a double-double, adding 10 rebounds to his 20 points while also blocking four shots.  Echols shared scoring honors with Will, hitting 6 of 9 shots from the floor and 7 of 8 free throws for 20 points.  Jackson totaled 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

Arts led UAA with 20 points and six rebounds.  Cooper, who scored a career high 31 points Thursday at NNU, was held to just six points and seven assists while being forced into six turnovers.

It was the final home game for seniors Will, Echols, Jackson, Moultire, and Filip Popovic.

SPU wraps up the regular season on the road next week, visiting Western Washington on Thursday and Central Washington on Saturday.

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