SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team travels to California to play a pair of crucial in-region non-conference games this weekend. The Falcons visit San Marcos on Saturday for a game at 7 p.m. followed by a rare Monday game against Dominguez Hills at 3 p.m.
QUOTABLE
"Any opportunity to play is crucial in our development. When you add that these two games are non-conference road games, they take on more meaning. We have been playing good basketball. This is the next step for us to challenge ourselves and see where we stand. San Marcos played in the regional last year, and CSU Dominguez Hills is a tough matchup. I'm excited about the challenge this weekend brings. In region games are always so important to come March, so we need to be ready for some tough games on Saturday and Monday." – head coach Grant Leep
HOME SWEET HOME
Last Thursday, SPU wrapped up its home non-conference schedule with a game against Evergreen State. The Falcons took drubbed the Geoducks 99-54. Five Falcons scored in double-figures, led by Casson Rouse who finished with 14 points. Kelton Samore stood out with 12 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
The Falcons have gone 3-0 at Royal Brougham Pavilion this season. They knocked off Douglas College 114-63 in their home opener. They followed it with a 97-71 win over Warner Pacific. SPU has outscored opponents 310-188 at home this year.
SPU SHARPSHOOTERS
The Falcons have been excellent at shooting the basketball this season. SPU leads the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage. They've hit on 52.2 percent (271-for-519) of their attempts from the field. SPU ranks sixth in the country in field goal percentage.
They also lead the conference in 3-point shooting, hitting 41.5 percent (85-for-205) from deep. SPU ranks just outside the top 10 in the country in 3-point percentage, as they're tied for 11th with Northwest Missouri State.
INDIVIDUAL STANDOUTS
Shaw Anderson sits atop the conference standings in scoring. He's averaging 20.8 points per game and ranks 22nd in the country in points per game. The next closest player is Carrington Wiggins of Montana State University Billings with 17.8 ppg. Zack Paulsen also ranks inside the top 10 in scoring, with 13.9 ppg.
Samore has had an efficient year for the Falcons. He ranks third in field goal percentage, hitting 63.6 percent of his shots. Ben Baker-McCann has emerged as a premier rebounder for SPU. He ranks third in the conference with 7.1 rebounds per game. It's the best mark among guards in the league.
SCOUTING THE SAN MARCOS COUGARS (4-5, 4-1 CCAA)
Coming off an excellent 2021-22 season, the Cougars were picked to finish second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cougars tallied 127 points in the poll behind unanimous favorite Cal State San Bernardino's 144 points and 12 first-place votes. Chico State took third in the poll with 115.
CSUSM welcomed back First Team All-CCAA member Jayce McCain and Second Team member Greg Milton III to their roster this season. The Cougar offense runs through McCain, who does a little bit of everything for the team. He's averaging 9.3 points per game while dishing out 3.8 assists and pulling down 2.2 rebounds per game. Milton has been a force offensively this season with 19.6 points per game.
After a slow start in non-conference play, the Cougars have hit their stride against familiar opponents. They've won four of their last five games and are coming off back-to-back wins over San Francisco State and Cal State Monterey Bay.
SCOUTING THE DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS (3-5, 1-3 CCAA)
The Toros made a run to the semifinal round of the CCAA Tournament a season ago. That turned into a fourth-place nod in the Preseason Coaches Poll. CSUDH returns eight players from last year's squad.
CSUDH has allowed 71.5 points per game to their opponents. Cameron Berry has been solid offensively for the Toro. He leads the group with 13.1 points per game. He's knocked down 41.9 percent of his field goal attempts. Hunter Seymour leads the team with 5.6 rebounds per game.
The Toros have struggled a bit recently. They've lost four of their last five games. The team fell to Cal Poly Pomona 71-65 in overtime on Dec. 8. The Toros had to postpone their game against #15 CSU San Bernardino on Dec. 11. They'll host Westcliff on Friday at 5 p.m. before facing the Falcons.
