SEATTLE – For the second consecutive game, the Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team beat a ranked opponent with a 72-59 win over #24 Montana State University Billings in a game that extended their winning streak to seven.
"I applauded our guys for the preparation they had," head coach Grant Leep said. "We dove into MSUB with only having one game this week. The way our guys executed our game plan was excellent. We kept them off balance, got off to a great start, and our energy was fantastic. That set the tone for what we did and kept doing throughout the game."
The Falcons opened Saturday's contest with a 14-2 run that lasted 5:08. Shaw Anderson scored the first five points of the game before capping the run with a layup. Kelton Samore scored five points during that stretch, while Zack Paulsen dished out two assists.
The Yellowjackets chipped away at the Falcon lead. With 11:02 to play in the first half, they trailed 17-11. SPU answered with a short four-point run to extend their lead to 22-11. They'd have a similar 4-0 run with baskets from Samore and Paulsen to go up 27-15 with 5:19 to play in the opening half.
Samore capped the first frame with a turn-around jumper to put the Falcons up 35-26 at halftime. As a team, SPU Shot 48.3 percent (14-for-29) from the field in the first half while holding MSUB to just 30.8 percent (8-for-26).
"We did a great job of taking care of the ball in the first half," Leep added. "I think we only had two turnovers. Billings is such a well-coached and good team. I have so much respect for coach Durham and his experience. We did such a good job at taking care of the ball that we took some offense away from them in easy transition baskets. That was big for us."
Later in the game, the Falcons led 45-36 with 13:16 to play. From there, SPU went on a 21-9 run that lasted 7:38. Casson Rouse cooked during that stretch, scoring seven points for the Falcons. SPU led 66-45 at the end of the run and went on to take the game 72-59.
The SPU defense stood tall in Saturday's game. The Falcons held the Yellowjackets to 37.5 percent (21-for-56) from the field for the game. The visitors made just five 3-pointers and shot a mere 17.2 percent from deep. SPU limited second chances for the MSUB, allowing just two offensive rebounds and three second-chance points.
"That's as well as we've played defensively this season," Leep mentioned. "Our guys did a nice job defensively. We didn't allow them to get out and run, forcing them into executing in the half-court. Our guys did a nice job of executing our principles and concepts that we were able to keep them out of rhythm and off-balance. A lot of their shots were contested as opposed to clean open looks. Our guys were locked in, their communication was great and it carried all the way through for all 40 minutes."
Anderson led the Falcons with 15 points while going 6-for-11 from the field. He had three rebounds and three assists for SPU. Paulsen and Rouse finished with 10 points each. Paulsen pulled down seven rebounds and had two assists, while Rouse went 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Maui Sze, Syon Blackmon, and Samore scored nine points each in a well-rounded performance from the Falcons.
SPU shares the same conference record with MSUB at 8-1 this season. The Falcons hold the tie-breaker between the two, having picked up the head-to-head win today.
The GNAC schedule turns over, as the Falcons begin to face conference foes for the second time this season next week. SPU hits the road for a trip to Ellensburg, Wash. to take on Central Washington on Thursday, Jan 26 at 7:30 p.m.