SEATTLE – The Seattle Pacific University men's basketball team returned from the holiday break with a game against Saint Martin's on Thursday afternoon, where four Falcons scored in double-figures, but a late run from the Saints gave them the edge, 73-67.

FROM THE COACH
"I thought we battled, just didn't have some poise in a few critical moments," head coach Keffrey Fazio said. "Saint Martin's is a good team. Credit to them. We'll keep learning and hope to bounce back. Brant has had some good success for us thus far. A credit to his preparation. Happy for him. Theo is as tough as they come. Happy he's one of us."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Falcons were forced to chip away at the Saints' lead after they started the game on a 7-0 run.
• It didn't take long, as the Falcons answered with a 9-3 run that lasted 1:43.
  • Julian Mora led the Falcons with six points, including a tough 3-point play.
• With 11:41 left in the first half, the Falcons trailed the Saints by four before going on a 16-4 run that lasted 7:35.
  • The SPU defense held the Saints to a 2-for-12 performance from the field during that stretch.
  • Henry Sandberg scored six points during that span, while Trace Evans scored four points. Sebastian Arius and Brant Heppner each splashed a 3-pointer.
• SMU's Dae'Kwon Watson hit a shot from half court as time expired in the first half, cutting the SPU lead to three points.
  • Watson's half-court heave capped a 20-point performance in the first half.
• The Falcons led by one with 14:50 left in the game when the Saints went on a 15-2 run.
  • SPU struggled during that stretch, going 1-for-6 from the field.
  • The run put the Saints up 57-45 with 11:33 to go in the game.
• SPU answered with a 19-5 run that lasted 7:47, which gave the Falcons a 64-62 lead with 3:46 left in the game.
  • The Falcons went 7-for-11 from the field during that stretch, led by six points from Evans and five more from Mora.
• The Saints found a way to close out the game, going on an 11-3 run over the final 1:47 to secure a 73-67 victory over the Falcons.

FROM THE BOX SCORE

• Heppner led the Falcons in scoring with 15 points on five made 3-pointers.
  • Heppner shot 71.4 percent from 3-point range on Thursday evening.
• Mora scored 14 points, Evans had 13, and Sandberg scored 12 points.
  • Evans added seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to his well-rounded performance.
• The McMillan had a game-high nine assists for the Falcons against the Saints.
• The Falcons struggled from the free throw line, shooting 50 percent (6-for-12) for the game. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The Saints were receiving votes in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches national poll.
• Thursday featured the first time the Falcons had dropped a game on their home floor this season.
• Heppner set a new career high in points (15) and made 3-pointers (5) in a single game.
• McMillan posted a career-high nine assists for the Falcons on Thursday.

UP NEXT
The Falcons welcome Western Oregon into Royal Brougham Pavilion on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
 
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