Making themselves at home. Sit back and prop the feet up because the Falcons plan to make themselves feel at home over the next five weeks. Heading into the holidays on an eight-game win streak, Seattle Pacific University (8-1) has risen to No. 12 in the nation and now plays its next seven men's basketball games at Brougham Pavilion, beginning with the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Holiday Classic Dec. 28-29. Following a 12-day Christmas lull, SPU faces Texas A&M Commerce (4-7) and Lewis-Clark State (8-4). Great Northwest Athletic Conference play resumes Jan. 3 against Northwest Nazarene.

It all starts with "D". A quick study of the GNAC statistical leaders will help explain Seattle Pacific's strong start. It's fundamentals such as a commitment to playing hard (defense and rebounding), court smarts (sound shooting) and unselfishness which are doing the job. The Falcons lead the conference in both scoring (63.3) and field-goal percentage (.398) defense. They are second in rebounding margin (+5.9) and free throw accuracy (.781) and third in shooting percentage (.476). While several players are performing at all-conference caliber, none ranks among the leaders in any major category.

Anyone, anywhere. Brougham Pavilion would be Coach Ken Bone's preferred location for all games, but the fact remains that SPU has already demonstrated an ability to beat anyone, anywhere. A week after knocking off a strong Central Washington team on the road, the Falcons earned their first win over a top-10 program in two years. Defense and some clutch plays in the final minute paved the way to a 68-63 defeat of Henderson State (Ar.), ranked No. 8 in last week's NCAA Division II poll, at the High Desert Classic in Las Vegas. A day later came a more comfortable victory over a good Ashland (Oh.) side, 76-63. The two foes were the seventh and eighth in nine games to be held under 69 points and 47 percent shooting.

Immediate dividends. Bone's offseason recruiting efforts continue to pay early and sizable dividends. Forward Yusef Aziz (Jr., 6-4, Seattle, Wa./Foster-Highline CC), a junior college transfer, shouldered much of the load versus Henderson State. Aziz scored 20 of his season-high 25 points in the second half, including four decisive points in the final 35 seconds. He added 15 points against Ashland and finished the tournament 16-22 from the field, with 10 rebounds and six assists to earn co-GNAC player of the week. A week earlier, transfer point guard Maurice Cato (Jr., 6-0, Fairfield, Ca./Fairfield-Skyline JC) poured in 28 in the second half and overtimes of the win over Central. Aziz is the team's top scorer (14.8), shooter (.627), thief (1.7 steals) and No. 2 rebounder (5.8) for the season. Cato is averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 assists and has hit 89 percent of his free throws.

In the hands of Stone. Not many college teams can term the role of their high post player as a playmaker, but then Brannon Stone (Sr., 6-9, Oak Harbor, Wa.) has never been confused with ordinary. Now in his fourth year as a starter, Stone is leading the team in assists (4.4) once again. In Las Vegas he re-emerged as a scoring threat with 29 points in the two games. Inside, Stone's particularly effective as a shot-blocker (1.2 per game this year, 241 for his career) and defensive rebounder. Offensively, he stretches defense with his shooting range. He connected on 4-6 3-pointers versus Ashland and is hitting 40 percent (15-38) from outside the arc for the first nine games. Overall, Stone's field-goal percentage of .494 is some four points higher than his first three seasons. After last week he is now the school's No. 10 career scorer (1182), No. 6 rebounder (703) and No. 2 in steals (163). Stone has held every SPU blocks record since midway through his sophomore season.

Center of attention. With center Eric Sandrin (Sr., 6-10, Bothell, Wa./Shorecrest-Portland), Aziz and Stone, Seattle Pacific has perhaps the most formidable front line in school history. Sandrin's contributions in Vegas were solid: 25 points and 14 rebounds. For the first nine games he's the top SPU rebounder (5.9) and No. 3 scorer (11.4). His younger brother, Daniel Sandrin (Jr., 6-7, Bothell, Wa./Bothell-Portland), is the squad's top-scoring non-starter, averaging 7.6 while shooting 55 percent from the field.

Put-backs. The Falcons have now won 20 consecutive December games dating back to 1998...Nick Johnson (Sr., 6-3, Burlington, Wa./Burlington-Edison) turned in yet another steady set of games with 24 points (8-15 FGs), 10 rebounds and a key steal with 6 seconds left vs. Henderson State...Adam Harris (Jr., 6-0, Fox Island, Wa./Gig Harbor), sidelined by a lacerated thumb then a fractured left ankle, played nine minutes in his first action of the season vs. Ashland...Aziz is third among GNAC leaders in field goal percentage and sixth in steals (1.7). Stone is third in assists and eighth in blocks. Cato is fourth in free throw percentage leaders.

Opponent & series notes. The marks the seventh annual Oak Harbor Freight Lines tournament, and SPU enters this edition with a record of 9-1 in past years...Texas A&M Commerce won the only previous meeting with the Falcons in the Final Four season of 1999-00. The Lions, who will have been idle since Dec. 8, lost four of their last five going into the break...Seattle Pacific defeated Lewis-Clark State for the seventh time in eight meetings last season at Lewiston, Id. The Warriors have won four in a row...Northwest Nazarene has lost four straight to SPU and six in a row overall this season after opening with a win over Lock Haven (Pa.) at Brougham Nov. 16...SPU has beaten Seattle U. 10 consecutive times since 1995, including a 64-49 nonconference win at Connolly Center Nov. 24. The Redhawks will complete the four-team OHFL field and play the 5 p.m. game each night.

Tickets, please. Reserved tickets for all SPU home games are priced $7 and $6. General admission is $5 with youth, students and senior citizens $3 with proper indentification. Groups or teams can qualify for discounts by calling (206) 281-2085 in advance.

SPU Coaches. In his 11 years as coach of his alma mater, Ken Bone has directed the Falcons to seven NCAA tournament berths, five conference titles and 11 consecutive winning records. His winning percentage of .712 is the best in school history, surpassing even the legendary Les Habegger. From 1995-2000 Bone's teams advanced to the regional championship game five times, including a record 27 wins and Final Four appearance in 2000. Jeff Hironaka is in his 11th year as associate head coach. Jarrett Mentink returns to the staff after a four-year absence this season. George Parker who first served as an assistant in 1986, returns for his 13th year on the staff. Former all-conference forward Reggie Paul joins the staff after five seasons of playing professionally in Europe and Asia.