SEATTLE – Already locked into the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament next weekend, the Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team wraps up regular season play at Royal Brougham Pavilion this weekend. The Falcons host Alaska Anchorage on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. before celebrating Zack Paulsen and Kelton Samore before Saturday's game against Alaska Fairbanks at 4:15 p.m.
THE PAST FOUR YEARS
Paulsen and Samore have played roles in the recent success of SPU men's basketball. Paulsen joined the team in 2019-20. A season that saw the Falcons take the regular season conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth. The season came to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team was in San Diego preparing for the NCAA Tournament when the event was canceled.
Samore joined the squad the following season, as the Falcons went on to go 10-3 in an abbreviated season.
The 2022-23 season has been turbulent, as most are. After dropping two in-region games in mid-December, the Falcons ripped off a seven-game winning streak. It featured consecutive wins over ranked opponents in Saint Martin's and MSU Billings.
The Falcons tout a shining 9-1 record at home but have struggled a tad on the road at 4-7. SPU played well enough to lock themselves into the conference tournament a week before the regular season ended. After celebrating their seniors this Saturday, the team is primed for a run in postseason play.
QUOTABLE
"It is hard to measure the impact Zack has had on our program over the last four years," head coach Grant Leep said. "He has experienced so much as a student-athlete that has gone on to shape the culture of our program. Zack's approach to every aspect of being a student-athlete at SPU shines a light on what college athletics is all about; taking advantage of the opportunities you've earned, building authentic relationships, working hard at developing as a student, player, and person, and be fully committed to your team. I can't thank Zack enough for the contributions he has made to our program. He has such a bright future and I am grateful for the experience of being a part of his journey."
"Kelton came to us as a transfer from American University," Leep said. "He has grown and persevered through a lot, given the timing of his coming to SPU. Every year he was with us, Kelton brought more and more. He has grown every year he's been a part of our program. Kelton's skill has allowed us to use him in a lot of different ways on the court. He has been a dedicated student and teammate and the impact he has made is one we can use as an example to others going forward. Kelton has contributed to our team on the court and off, he's been a productive student, and a great teammate, and has grown in productive ways in the time he's spent in our program at SPU. I can't wait to see what successes come next for Kelton."
ABOUT THE SENIORS
Paulsen joined the Falcons in 2019, appearing in 68 games and playing 2,129 minutes. He's averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field, and 37.3 percent from 3-point range. Paulsen has been a consistent presence for the team, pulling down 4.4. rebounds per game and tallying 108 assists as a Falcon.
Paulsen entered the season as a member of the GNAC Preseason All-Conference team. The University Place native is putting up career-bests in 2022-23, averaging 12.2 points per game, shooting 49.2 percent, and has 2.3 assists per game. Paulsen ranks second in the conference in minutes per game at 34 and is third in the conference with an 89.2 percent effort from the free throw line. Paulsen has made the GNAC All-Academic team twice.
Samore has spent three seasons with the Falcons, joining the team during the shortened 2020-21 season. Samore has played in 52 games and 932 minutes. He's scored 8.6 points per game on a 53.8 shooting percentage. The big from Portland averaged 3.9 rebounds per game, blocked 20 shots, and came up with 13 steals.
Like Paulsen, Samore is playing one of his best seasons for the Falcons in 2022-23. He's averaging 10.2 points per game on an excellent 62.1 percent from the field. The shooting efficiency is the second-best in the conference. Samore has pulled down 3.7 rebounds per game and dished out 17 assists this season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Falcons battled Montana State University Billings on the road last Saturday night when Maui Sze banked home the game-winning layup late, giving the Falcons the season sweep over the Yellowjackets 72-70.
The game was tied at 70 with 0:15 to play. Sze brought the ball down the floor before using a screen from Shaw Anderson above the right elbow near the 3-point line. Sze made his way toward the left elbow before cutting to the basket. He split two defenders and beat one more as he soared for a reverse layup. The tough bucket gave the Falcons a 72-70 victory and a season sweep of the Yellowjackets.
NCAA DII WEST REGION RANKINGS
The NCAA announced its first regional rankings last Wednesday afternoon. The alphabetical list featured the Falcons along with fellow GNAC members Saint Martin's and MSU Billings. The top eight teams from each region advance to the regional round of the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING THE ALASKA ANCHORAGE SEAWOLVES (14-13, 6-10 GNAC)
The Seawolves were in the hunt for the final spot in the GNAC Tournament. Unfortunately, UAA has been hit with a .126 deduction from their conference winning percentage after violating a GNAC bylaw. The penalty will be assessed after their final game of the regular season.
The Falcons opened GNAC play in Alaska during the first weekend of December. They wrapped the trip against the Seawolves with a narrow 90-87 win. A total team effort lifted the Falcons over the Seawolves. Paulsen led the way with a team-high 20 points on an efficient 7-for-10 field goal attempt. Paulsen pulled down four rebounds and dished out two assists.
SCOUTING THE ALASKA FAIRBANKS NANOOKS (11-13, 6-10 GNAC)
The Nanooks are still alive for the final spot in the GNAC Tournament. They'll have to win their final two games and get some help from teams like Western Oregon, Central Washington, and Western Washington. The Nanooks have gone 3-3 since the beginning of February and take on Montana State University Billings on Thursday before playing the Falcons.
SPU opened conference play in Fairbanks way back on Dec. 1. The Falcons put together a late comeback and came within four points, but it wasn't enough, as the Nanooks took the game 64-56. Anderson was solid on both ends of the floor for the Falcons. He scored a game-high 20 points while blocking three shots and grabbing two steals. Sze had a nice night as well, with 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
