Tuesday, January 3, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. – Saint Martin’s continues its roll, improving to 4-0 in conference play with victories over Simon Fraser and Western Washington and a scoring performance that earned senior guard Branden Bunn selection as the GNAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Bunn was the leading scorer in both games and averaged 21.5 points and four rebounds per game in the two wins. On Thursday, Bunn connected for 23 points on 7 of 14 from the field, 3 of 5 from three-point range and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line in the 94-81 win over the Red Leafs. He also finished with five rebounds and six assists. Bunn led the way with 20 points in Saturday’s 89-84 win over Western Washington, going 6 of 10 from the field, 4 of 6 from long range and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to go with three rebounds and three assists.

For the week, Bunn shot 54.2% from the field and 63.6% from three-point range while going a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line.

Seattle Pacific senior guard/forward Ashley Alter was named the Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after she averaged 24 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in a pair of wins that improved the Falcons to 3-1 in conference play. Alter opened the week with a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds in Thursday’s 58-45 win over Northwest Nazarene. She connected on 7 of 16 from the field.

Alter led the way as SPU handed Central Washington just its second loss of the season, winning 70-63 on Saturday. Alter went off for 31 points on 10 of 19 from the field, 6 of 12 from three-point range and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to go with nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. For the week, Alter shot 48.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range.

GNAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK SELECTIONS – WEEK 19
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Branden Bunn (Saint Martin’s, G, 6-2, Sr., The Bronx, N.Y. – Newman Univ.): Bunn averaged 21.5 points and four rebounds per game and shot 54.2% from the field, 63.6% from three-point range and a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line as Saint Martin’s improved to 4-0 in conference play. Bunn led all scorers with 23 points in Thursday’s 94-81 victory over Simon Fraser, connecting on 7 of 14 from the field, 3 of 5 from long range and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line. He also had five rebounds and six assists. Bunn also led the way with 20 points on 6 of 10 from the field, 4 of 6 from three-point range and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line in Saturday’s 89-84 win over Western Washington. Also Nominated: Da’Zhon Wyche (Alaska Anchorage), Matt Poquette (Central Washington), Carrington Wiggins (Montana State Billings), Shaw Anderson (Seattle Pacific), David Penney (Simon Fraser), Nic Welp (Western Washington).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Ashley Alter (Seattle Pacific, G/F, 5-11, Sr., Stanwood, Wash. – Stanwood): Alter averaged 24 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, shooting 48.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range as Seattle Pacific improved to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Alter notched a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds in Thursday’s 58-45 win over Northwest Nazarene, connecting on 7 of 16 from the field. Alter led all scorers with a 31-point performance in Saturday’s 70-63 win over Central Washington, handing the Wildcats just their second loss of the season. She made 10 of 19 from the field, 6 of 12 from three-point range and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to go with nine rebounds. Also Nominated: Vishe’ Raab (Alaska Anchorage), Cami Knishka (Northwest Nazarene), Gemma Cutler (Simon Fraser), Brooke Walling (Western Washington).