BURNABY, BC --- Thursday night in the West Gym, the Simon Fraser University Men's Basketball Team fell to the visiting Seattle Pacific University Falcons by a final score of 88 to 67. 
 
Both Othniel Spence and Jasdeep Singh had standout performances for Simon Fraser, putting 24 and 21 points respectively, although the rest of the team struggled, combining for just 24 points, only six of which came off the bench. 
 
Simon Fraser started well, keeping the score low early on, and allowing just 14 Falcons points in the opening ten minutes of play. Although the visitors surged ahead by as many as seven in the backend of the first half, the lead always felt within reach for Simon Fraser, as good rebounding and shot selection helped keep them in the contest. At the half, SFU trailed by a six-point margin at 35 to 29. 
 
Unfortunately for SFU, they struggled to hold things together at the beginning of the second half, and a 7-0 run from SPU was a crucial point in the contest. Although Spence and Singh did what they could to keep SFU in the game, Simon Fraser was never really able to recover against a clinical Seattle Pacific Team that ranks amongst the most efficient in the nation from the field and behind the three point arc. The Falcons finished the game tied for their largest lead of the night, up 21 points, at 88 to 67.
 
Simon Fraser only managed 5 total free throw shots on the night, as SPU did a good job staying out of foul trouble. Seattle Pacific also forced 13 Simon Fraser turnovers, and outrebounded the home team 34 to 30. SFU did have 12 second chance points in comparison to SPU's 6, but couldn't match the Falcons 20 bench points, with just 6 of their own.
 
Head Coach Steve Hanson added his thoughts on the challenging opponent: "SPU is very good and consistent. They showed in the 2nd half why they are #1 in the GNAC. We have to get to the FT line more, 5 doesn't cut it. Time to get ready for Saint Martin's." 
 
Up next, Simon Fraser will honour their four Seniors on Saturday night (Feb 22^nd) in the West Gym vs. Saint Martin's. Game time is set for 7PM.