Seattle Pacific men’s basketball lost 71-64 to the California State University East Bay Pioneers on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Royal Brougham Pavilion.
Previously, the Falcons lost 88-83 to Montana State University Billings on Dec. 7, 90-67 to Vanguard University on Nov. 30, and 82-68 to Point Loma University on Nov. 29. Their last victory was 81-62 against Linfield University on Nov. 23.
Junior guard Owen Moriarty was the game’s top scorer with 17 points. Forward Jonas LaTour, a redshirt sophomore, followed with 14 points.
The Falcons were neck-and-neck with the Pioneers for most of the first half except for a 27-19 deficit in the 12th minute. Seattle Pacific stole the lead three times, but the Pioneers cemented themselves ahead 34-32 at halftime.
Seattle Pacific was under fire in the second half with the Pioneers increasing their lead to 42-34. A three-pointer from Mason Landdeck tied the game at 44-44 in the 28th minute; however, the Pioneers’ defense locked up the basket and made sure the Falcons stayed behind on the scoreboard.
Unable to move the ball fast enough in the closing minutes, the Falcons accepted defeat.
Head coach Keffrey Fazio discussed the game’s dynamics and what led to its result.
“Their physicality, intensity and ball pressure disrupted the net and kept us from executing around the rim,” Fazio said. “When teams disrupt you, you can battle back, or you can concede. We didn’t respond the way we needed to respond and dug ourselves in a hole.”
Fazio concluded the team needs to respond better to disruptions and find the balance to execute fast, aggressive plays.
“This team has flashes of playing fast [but] it’s hard to be sustainable playing that way throughout a game. I think what we have to figure out is how we can sprinkle some of that stuff in how we want to play [and] find a balance” Fazio said. “It can definitely help you at moments but it’s a hard way to play for 40 minutes.”
Seattle Pacific returns to Royal Brougham on Wednesday, Dec. 18, versus Evergreen State College at 6 p.m. Their record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference is 0-2 and their overall record is 2-8, ranking the Falcons at ninth.
