Monday, December 2, 2019
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Seattle Pacific men’s basketball team picked up two wins on its Thanksgiving week California road trip, including a seven-point victory at last year’s national runner-up Point Loma, to start a three-game winning streak and earn selection as the GNAC Team of the Week.
After opening the season with four losses to California teams, the Falcons bounced back to win three straight games to improve to a 3-4 record heading into GNAC play. The Falcons defeated Sonoma State, 75-55, on Tuesday before dropping Point Loma, 96-89, on Saturday.
“We played to our identity and who we are as a group,” head coach Grant Leep said. “We just need to continue to build on what we’ve been doing.”
Seattle Pacific shot 56 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range in Tuesday’s win over the Seawolves. The Falcons erupted for 41 points in the first half, connecting on 18 of 26 from the floor, to take an early 15-point lead going into halftime.
Freshman forward Shaw Anderson led the Falcons with 20 points, making 6 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Anderson also contributed four rebounds, two assists and a steal while junior guard Harry Cavell registered a double-double with ten points and 10 rebounds.
Seattle Pacific and Point Loma were tied at 46 points apiece after the first half but the Falcons ran away with the win as they outscored the Sea Lions, 50-43, in the second half. The Falcons shot 56.5 percent from the field and scored 48 points in the paint while also scoring 22 points off the bench to top the Sea Lions.
Sophomore guard Divant’e Moffitt earned GNAC Player of the Week honors after racking up 43 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and five steals in the two games. He scored 14 points to go with three steals, two rebounds and two assists in Tuesday’s win over the Seawolves then went off for 29 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals in Saturday’s win over the Sea Lions. He shot 63.6 percent from the field and a near-perfect 13 of 14 from the free throw line on the week.
“He’s a terrific finisher and when he gets into the paint, good things happen for us,” Leep said of Moffitt’s career-high performance.
Cavell scored in double digits again at Point Loma with 16 points, seven rebounds and an assist while senior guard Gavin Long contributed 12 points. Freshman forward Jacob Medjo also scored 10 points off the bench in the 96-89 victory.
“We’re in a really good spot,” Leep said. “Our group has been tested against some of the top programs in the West Region. We’re going to be ready for conference play. Every time our group has taken the floor, we’ve gotten better.”
Seattle Pacific opens conference play on the road this week, playing at Central Washington on Thursday and Northwest Nazarene on Saturday. The Falcons were picked to finish second in the 2019-20 GNAC Preseason Coaches Poll.