DENVER, Colo. – The Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team took on 15th-ranked MSU Denver in a game that featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes, the Falcons led with 33 seconds left before late free throws lifted the Roadrunners to a narrow 77-75 win.

"Played well enough to win," Interim head coach Keffrey Fazio said. "MSUD just beat two top 20 teams and ranked. Our guys were focused and intense throughout the game. We battled all night but didn't find a way to close it out." 

The Falcons gave the Roadrunners a tough challenge on Friday evening. They took their largest lead with 3:55 to play in the first half. A 24-13 run over 7:35 put SPU up 37-28. They went 9-for-12 from the field during the run. Jadin Penigar and Kyle Luttinen led the Falcons with six points each during that span, while Moriarty had five points. 

Early in the second half, the Falcons went on an 11-4 run that gave them a 51-48 lead. Moriarty led the charge again with five of the 11 points.

SPU trailed 60-55 with 11:37 left in the game when momentum swung back in favor of the Falcons. SPU went on an 18-8 run that lasted 7:55. Shaw Anderson poured in eight points during the span. The Falcons led 71-73 with four minutes to play.

Moriarty hit a huge 3-pointer with 2:16 to play, followed by a free throw from Anderson. The buckets gave the Falcons a 75-72 lead with 33 seconds left. The Roadrunners made free throws down the stretch to stay unbeaten.

Anderson led the Falcons with 17 points on 8-for-17 shooting. He pulled down six rebounds and had four assists. Moriarty and Luttinen scored 15 points each. Morarity hit three 3-pointers, while Luttinen splashed home five from deep.

The Falcons shot 50 percent (29-for-58) from the field, including 12 made 3-pointers. SPU forced MSU Denver into nine turnovers and scored 18 points off turnovers.  

The Falcons play another Colorado school tomorrow when they play Regis at 2 p.m. PST