SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's basketball program honored seniors Zack Paulsen and Kelton Samore before Saturday's game against Alaska Anchorage, as the duo helped the Falcons to a 60-51 victory over the Nanooks.
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. Samore joined the squad the following season, as the Falcons went on to go 10-3 in an abbreviated season.
"The way that they both dove head first into our program and to see their development that has been more than just basketball has been great," head coach Grant Leep said. "They helped shape our culture and the success we've had, even through really tough times. We've relied on them to have perseverance and resolve to stick it out. They've done that and have had great careers as well. It's just a testament to the people that they are."
The game's pace picked up in the second half when the Falcons found their rhythm offensively. They returned to form by going 13-for-30 (43.3 percent) from the field in the final 20 minutes.
The team trailed in the 31-23 with 14:04 to go in the second half when the momentum shifted. SPU went on a 15-7 run lead by five points from Trace Evans. The 6:05 stretch gave the Falcons a slim 38-37 lead.
The Nanooks hit two baskets before the Falcons went on another big-time run. Shaw Anderson scored six consecutive points that featured a four-point play. It was part of a 17-5 run over 4:41 seconds. It gave the Falcons a 54-47 lead with 1:26 to play. They'd hang on for the win.
Anderson led everyone with 17 points and eight rebounds. Ben Baker-McCann was excellent off the bench, scoring 12 points with a team-high nine rebounds. Paulsen poured in seven points while Samore pulled down eight rebounds in their final game in Brougham Pavilion.
"You have to win in so many different ways," Leep said. "They all can't be great shooting nights or easy wins. You have to be able to grit your teeth sometimes and do it when you're not at your best. We found a way to do that tonight. It's what you have to do to keep winning in late February and March."
The Falcons enter next weekend's Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament in Bellingham, Wash. as the third seed. The conference plans to announce the full field and game times later this evening.