Falcons Overcome Yellowjackets In Overtime

Before an overflow homecoming crowd of nearly 2,000 that stood for much of the game, Seattle Pacific University took a major step toward its first Great Northwest Conference basketball title with a tense 68-65 overtime victory last night over 14th-ranked Eastern Montana.

``The crowd was so loud,'' said Falcon guard Dave Davies, who put his club ahead permanently at 65-63 with a driving layin in traffic. ``It just put this aura of pressure around each possession.''

The Falcons (15-5), undefeated in conference play at 4-0, turned the ball over only six times for the game. Eastern Montana, which dropped to 19-5 and 3-1 in the conference, had 10 turnovers.

``Now we just have to take care of our homework and split on the road,'' said Caio Silveira, who led the Falcons with 24 points.

Eastern Montana Coach Ernie Wheeler, whose expletive-filled mouth drew taunts of ``Ernie'' from the crowd, filed a protest because the homecoming ceremonies stretched the length of halftime by 10 minutes. According to the conference's public-relations director, Tim Haag, the protest won't be considered.

Unlike his coach, the Yellowjackets' star player, Jaysun Mims, wasn't bothered by the extracurricular activities.

``I loved the crowd,'' said Mims. ``I really enjoyed the game. . . . That was the best competition we've had this year.''

For Seattle Pacific, this was supposed to be a season in which its first-year Coach Ken Bone laid the foundation for the future success he anticipates.

Already, the club has set a milestone. This is the first season in nine the club entered its homecoming game undefeated in conference play.

``It's in the back of our mind to get to regionals,'' said Davies. ``Everyone can sense it.''

After leading much of last night's game and 50-41 with ten minutes left, the Falcons almost lost the scent. Eric Larson sank one of two free throws to give the Falcons a 63-60 lead with 14 seconds left in regulation. With one second left in regulation, Eastern Montana guard Todd Dawson sent the game into overtime on a lean-in, three-point baseline shot that bounced high off the rim and fell in.

The first half, which began 25 minutes late because of more homecoming ceremonies and the reluctance of Wheeler to pull his team from the floor during pre-game warmups, was evenly matched in every way.

Both clubs shot extremely well, Seattle Pacific hitting 13 of 20 shots and Eastern Montana 14 of 21. For the game Eastern Montana sank 27 of 45 shots for 60 percent. The Falcons ended up making 23 of 50 for 46 percent.

Silveira and Eastern Montana's Jaysun Mims established the tone immediately, scoring the game's first 11 points.

Patience on offense rewarded the Falcons with numerous inside baskets by the 6-foot-8 Silveira. The muscular 6-foot-8 Brazilian's ability to get inside for 17 first-half points on 7-of-8 shooting inspired several expletives from Wheeler.

``You just sort of take that stuff in,'' said Davies. ``But it does feel especially good to beat them.''

Seattle Pacific's next conference game is February 16 at Sacramento State. The Falcons play Central Washington on the 12th and host Seattle University on the 14th.

SPU WOMEN 61, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 58

-- Tosca Lindberg scored 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as the Seattle Pacific women beat Central Washington in an NAIA District I game at Brougham Pavilion.

Central Washington, which trailed at halftime, went on an 8-0 run in the second half, taking the lead on Stacey Gordon's three-pointer with 6:09 remaining. But SPU (6-7, 14-8) came back and took the lead to stay, 59-58, on Lindberg's two free throws with 41 seconds remaining.

The Falcons' Leanne Bajema added 14 points, 11 in the second half, and grabbed eight rebounds.

Gordon and Sherilyn Burnett led Central with 11 points each.

EASTERN WASHINGTON 118 U.S. INTERNATIONAL 83

-- CHENEY - Justin Paola scored 21 points to lead the Eagles, who racked up their fourth-highest point total in school history.

Eastern Washington's 118 points was the school's highest-ever total against an NCAA Division I opponent, and the team collected a school-record 57 rebounds.

U.S. International (1-22), which lost its 18th straight game, led 12-10 early in the non-conference game, but Eastern Washington (8-11) quickly came back to lead 53-34 at intermission.

U.S. International's Kevin Bradshaw, the NCAA scoring leader, got 37 points, 26 of them in the second half. Teammate Isaac Brown scored 31.

Eastern had six players in double figures.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON 107, WESTERN WASHINGTON 96

-- ELLENSBURG - Jason Pepper scored 25 points and Larry Foster added 21, all in the second half, as the Wildcat men defeated the Vikings in overtime.

Central, completing a three-game sweep of Western, improved its record to 10-12 and extended its Nicholson Pavilion winning streak to 14 games. Western, losing its fourth in a row, dropped to 9-12.

Central led 51-41 at halftime, but Western rallied behind the outside shooting of freshman Jeff Dick, who scored 24 of his 31 points in the second half. The Vikings tied the score at 87 on three free throws by Dick with 1:02 left, but the Wildcats outscored the visitors 20-9 in the overtime period.

Central set a school record by making 43 free throws in 58 attempts.

Five Vikings fouled out, including forward Ativio Jude, who had 25 points and nine rebounds.

SANTA CLARA 69, GONZAGA 61

-- SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Broncos improved their West Coast Conference record to 6-3 with the victory over the Bulldogs (3-5,11-9).