Dec. 3, 2011
Box Score
SEATTLE, Wash. - WWU topples No.19 Seattle Pacific, 79-71 Vikings win seventh straight game
Forwards Rory Blanche (Sr., Ashland, OR) and Paul Jones (Jr., Federal Way) each scored 15 points to lead a balanced attack as Western Washington University knocked off nationally ranked Seattle Pacific University, 79-71, on Saturday in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball contest at Royal Brougham Pavilion.
The Vikings, who had five players score in double figures, improved to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the GNAC with their seventh consecutive victory.
SPU, ranked No.19 in this week's National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25, fell to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the GNAC. Center Andy Poling led the Falcons with a game-high 31 points and nine rebounds.
The Vikings never led in the opening half, and trailed, 44-37, less than five minutes into the second half. But they went on a 19-4 burst in a little under seven minutes to take a 56-48 lead with 8:49 to play.
Center Chris Mitchell (Jr., Everson/Nooksack Valley) had seven points in the charge, igniting it with a three-pointer and a dunk that tied the score at 44-44.
After WWU's run, the Falcons pulled within one on three occasions, the last time at 58-57 on a Poling layup with five minutes left. But the Vikings never relinquished the lead, and led by at least six points throughout the final two minutes.
"It was a really hard fought game," said WWU coach Brad Jackson. "This is a win that hopefully helps guys understand that no matter where you go or what it's like, you can win if you just stick your nose in there and battle."
Guard Richard Woodworth (So., Bellevue/Newport) had 13 points, 11 of them in the second half, for WWU, which beat SPU for just the second time in the last 14 meetings. Mitchell and guard John Allen (Jr., Brier/Mountlake Terrace) each had 11 points.
The Vikings, who trailed 35-30 at halftime, shot just 31.0 percent (9-of-29) in the first half, but hit 60.7 percent (17-of-28) after the intermission.
"We started a little tight, but our offense got going as the game went on," Jackson said.
Blanche grabbed nine rebounds for WWU and Allen had four steals.
Guard David Downs had 14 points for the Falcons, and forward Jobi Wall added 10.
Poling, who was 13-of-17 from the floor, scored 20 points in the second half.
WWU next plays on Monday, Dec. 12, entertaining Quest University at Sam Carver Gymnasium.
