What’s new?
Seattle Pacific’s men’s basketball team found new life re-entering the Great Northwest Athletic Conference but the lease soon expired.
After defeating Western Oregon University 81-68 on the road in Monmouth, Oregon, on Jan. 4, the Seattle Pacific Falcons started a new win streak. The Falcons won their next two home games in Royal Brougham Pavilion, defeating the Western Washington University Vikings 97-86 on Friday, Jan. 9, and then Simon Fraser University 71-56 on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Seattle Pacfic’s win streak ended in Ellensburg, Washington, with an 82-61 loss against the Central Washington University Wildcats on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Central Washington led for most of the first half, but the Falcons were no further behind than five. Seattle Pacific first closed the gap four minutes in at 6-6. Four more ties would follow, but SPU never moved ahead of the Wildcats, eventually landing 35-34 at halftime.
Seattle Pacific’s grip on the Wildcats loosened as time ticked by in the second half. The gap first hit double digits with 15:30 remaining at 48-38. Nap set the Falcons only one basket behind at 48-45 with a layup off a rebound. From there, the Wildcats launched a final assault, outscoring SPU 34-26 in the final minutes to close the game.
Another loss followed when Seattle Pacific fell 67-55 to Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Top scorers:
Against the Saint Martin’s Saints— redshirt-junior guard Mason Landdeck, 21 points
Against the Simon Fraser Red Leafs— redshirt-sophomore forward Jonas LaTour, 22 points
Against the Central Washington Wildcats— junior guard Nap, 19 points
Against the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks— junior guard Owen Moriarty, 18 points
All eyes on:
Moriarty and Nap were selected for the GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team in October 2024, establishing an expectation for them to live up to during the season. Approaching the halfway point, it seems the pair have made good on their investment with Falcons.
Nap is second in rebounds in the GNAC with 171. He also leads the Falcons in assists with 46. Moriarty leads in nearly all other categories: points (270), turnovers (44) and steals (24). He is eighth in the GNAC for scoring.
Junior forward Grant Coleman leads the last category of blocked shots for SPU with six.
Upcoming:
Seattle Pacific is 7-11 overall and 3-4 in the GNAC. The Falcons host the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5:15 p.m. and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4:15 p.m. inside Royal Brougham Pavilion.
Thursday’s game against Alaska Anchorage is the Falcon’s blackout theme night. Spectators are encouraged to wear all-black attire as the men’s team sports their all-new black jerseys.
Alaska Anchorage is coming off three consecutive losses with a 10-10 overall record and a 3-4 GNAC record. Anchorage’s defense is certain to be a challenge for the Falcons as it boasts the best turnover rate in the men’s conference, averaging 10.7 per game. Seattle Pacific’s previous encounter against the Seawolves resulted in a 65-64 win for SPU on Feb. 29, 2024.
Alaska Fairbanks has won two of its last three games, sporting an overall record of 9-7 and a GNAC record of 5-2. The Nanooks have the second-best rebound rate in the conference, averaging 40.3 per game, guaranteeing problems in the paint. Seattle Pacific won its last game against Alaska Fairbanks 62-56 on March 2, 2024.
