SEATTLE – Julian Mora scored 24 of his game-high 26 points in the second half for the Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team in a rematch from last year's NCAA Tournament, as the Falcons received key contributions from Mora and several others to take down fourth-ranked Point Loma 80-73 on Saturday night inside Royal Brougham Pavilion
FROM THE COACH
"I'm a proud coach tonight," head coach
Keffrey Fazio said. "We executed the game plan again tonight. That's all we try to do. We just want to go 1-0. Anytime you have a top-five team in your gym, you certainly don't want to leave anything on the table. I thought our guys gave it their best shot, but we didn't break - and we finished. To beat a top team, we need to put in tremendous effort from everyone. We got that tonight."
"
Trace Evans was tremendous in the first half," Fazio said. "
Aengus Sutherland made winning plays.
Brant Heppner had a great second half, and
Connor Drinkwine showed great veteran poise.
Theo McMillan was crucial in how he impacted the game at all times.
Henry Sandberg's defense was fantastic.
Julian Mora's 24 second half points were pretty impressive."
"It's a really good win," Fazio added. "But, it's only November."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons opened the game with a resounding 26-15 run over the first 12:23 of the game.
- SPU went 11-for-18 during that stretch, including four made 3-pointers.
- Evans led the group with nine points, while McMillan scored six points and Sandberg added five.
- The Sea Lions answered with an impressive run of their own, outscoring the Falcons 20-4 over the final five minutes of the first half.
- PLNU led SPU 35-30 at halftime on Saturday.
- The Falcons opened the second half with a quick two-and-a-half-minute 7-4 to pull within two points of the Sea Lions.
- Mora scored all seven of the SPU points to open the second half.
- SPU was down five with 14:06 to play when the Falcons exploded for a 34-17 run that lasted 10:27.
- The Falcons went 12-for-15 from the field during that stretch, including an incredible 7-for-8 performance from 3-point range.
- Mora and Heppner powered the Falcons' game-winning moment, as Mora poured in 11 points while Heppner scored nine.
- On the defensive end of the floor, Sutherland had three steals during that stretch.
- Mora knocked down six free throws in the final 20 seconds of the game to secure the victory for the Falcons.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons shot 57.1 percent (28-for-49) and made 12 3-pointers on Saturday night.
- Mora led everyone with 26 points, 24 of them coming in the second half.
- Mora went 7-for-9 from the field, including a 4-for-5 effort from 3-point range.
- He made all eight of his free throw attempts and added three assists with just one turnover to his stellar night for the Falcons.
- Evans finished with 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
- Heppner went 3-for-4 from 3-point range to finish the night with nine points.
- McMillan led everyone with seven assists against the Sea Lions.
- Sutherland finished the night with four steals, the most of any player on the floor.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons have now won three of the last five games against Point Loma, dating back to a 96-89 victory on the road in San Diego on Nov. 30, 2019.
- Saturday's victory over fourth-ranked Point Loma was the highest-ranked opponent the Falcons have beaten since Fazio took over in May of 2023.
- It's the third victory over a ranked opponent during that span.
- It's the highest-ranked opponent the Falcons have beaten since taking down Alabama-Huntsville 77-71 on Nov. 6, 2021.
- Mora set career-highs in points (26) and free throws attempted (8) and made (8).
- Heppner set a new career best with nine points and 3-pointers made (3).
- Sutherland has a new career-high in steals with four against the Sea Lions.
UP NEXT
The Falcons get a brief taste of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play when they travel to Montana State University Billings for a game on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1:00 p.m. PST.
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