Going south. What a difference a week makes. Not only back on track following a pair of wins, Seattle Pacific University finds itself holding a share of first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference going into this week's southbound excursion. The Falcons (4-1, 8-6) venture to Western Oregon (2-3, 10-5) Thursday night (Jan. 23) and then visit GNAC co-leader and No. 2-ranked Humboldt State (4-1, 13-1) Saturday night (Jan. 25). Next week SPU returns to Brougham Pavilion for homecoming week and bouts with Seattle University and Northwest Nazarene.

Formula is simple. Based on a quick look at the numbers, there's a couple components which weigh heavily on whether the Falcons succeed or fail. It seems this squad rises and falls on its shooting and whether it goes in front early. Seattle Pacific is 8-0 when shooting better than 49 percent from the field and is also 8-0 when leading at halftime. In snapping out of a slump in which it lost five of six, SPU shot a season-best 60 percent against Alaska Anchorage (86-68) and then matched its highest point total in replacing Alaska Fairbanks atop the standings with a 95-71 victory to close-out a five-game home stand.

Lessons learned. Coach Jeff Hironaka introduced a new, more structured offensive set last week and the result was better movement off the ball, more crisp passes and greater confidence exhibited in all phases of the game. Not only was last week their best back-to-back offensive games, but the Falcons finished a plus-24 in rebounds and finally found their stroke at the foul line, sinking 34 of 41 (83 percent, compared to 64 percent previously). Hironaka, who watched his squad's halfcourt execution falter during the slump, now has SPU back in contention for a playoff berth with 13 games remaining in the regular season. The aim is to come home with at least a split on this trip although the opponents own a combined home record of 11-2 this season.

Helping hands. Demonstrating that it's not a one-man team, Seattle Pacific spread the scoring wealth last week, with nine different players scoring at least seven points in a game. Forward Jesse Keely (Sr., 6-7, Fircrest, Wa./Bellarmine) and point guard Maurice Cato (Sr., 6-0, Fairfield, Ca.) consistently connected on open shots. Cato canned 10-15 field goals, including 3-5 three-pointers. Keely, whose power surge began six games ago, came off the bench to hit 10-14 for the week, including career-highs of 16 points and six assists vs. Anchorage. He has averaged 11.8 points and shot 62 percent since Dec. 18.

Just be Yu self. For the first time in over a month, Yusef Aziz (Sr., 6-4, Seattle, Wa./Foster-Highline CC) appeared to be his old self against the Alaskans. No longer forcing the issue on offense, he took his opportunities and made the most of them, converting 15-26 shots from closer range than past weeks and totaling a team high of 34 points. Aziz had shot just 41 percent from the floor in his previous six outings. The team scoring leader this season (16.8) and as a junior, he is now approaching 2000 career points (including junior college), needing 171 to hit that plateau.

Every lil bit helps. It's been the case all along, that when the supporting cast comes through, the Falcons are much more formidable. In addition to Cato and Keely, Daniel Sandrin (Sr., 6-7, Bothell, Wa./Bothell) and Adam Harris (Sr., 6-0, Fox Island, Wa./Gig Harbor) caught fire last week. Sandrin posted four career-highs during the week, scoring 16 points (5-7 FGs, 2-2 treys) vs. Fairbanks and nine rebounds, three blocks and 34 minutes (to go with 10 points and four assists) against Anchorage. Meanwhile, Harris, who had made only three three-pointers in his previous four games, swished three treys, scored 12 points and had career-bests of six assists and three steals vs. Fairbanks.

Put-backs. When shooting 49 percent or higher, the Falcons have won 14 in a row, dating back to last season...Defensively, SPU held the Alaskans to 33 and 44 percent shooting...Gene Woodard (Sr., 6-4, Edmonds, Wa./O'Dea) has 40 points and has shot 19-32 from the floor in five games this month...Back-up center Chris Cohen (Jr., 6-8, Saint Helens, Or.) made a somewhat surprising return from an ankle sprain to play in both games last week and contribute nine points in six minutes vs. Fairbanks...Jordan Lee (So., 6-0, University Place, Wa./Life Christian) scored nine points, his highest total since opening night, vs. Fairbanks...After hitting 11-20 outside the arc last week, SPU is No. 1 in GNAC 3-point accuracy (.420) and No. 4 in field goal accuracy (.489). It is still No. 10 at the foul line (.665)...Now with a sufficient number of attempts, Keely is No. 2 in GNAC field-goal accuracy (.618). Harris is the new leader in three-point accuracy (.541) and Jeff Knudson (Fr., 6-7, Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak) is No. 3 (.514). Aziz ranks No. 7 in GNAC scoring (16.8) and sixth in assists (3.8). Cato is No. 3 in steals (2.00) and Jason Chivers (So., 6-8, Palmdale, Ca./Highland-L.A. Trade Tech), who had nine boards vs. Fairbanks, is sixth in rebounding (6.5).

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 identification. Groups can qualify for discounts by calling (206) 281-2085 in advance.

SPU Coaches. The longest-serving assistant in program history, Jeff Hironaka was selected to succeed Ken Bone as head coach Apr. 30, 2002. A former aide at Idaho State and The Master's, Hironaka joined Bone in 1991 and from there the Falcons won 236 of 253 games, claimed five outright or shared conference championships and qualified for the NCAA tournament eight of the last nine years, including a Final Four advancement in 2000. Hironaka is the second Japanese-American head coach of a four-year collegiate program. Keith Cooper, an alumnus of Seattle Pacific, is the staff's top assistant. Cooper previously was an assistant at Central Washington. and Pacific Lutheran, and head coach at Federal Way's Decatur High School. George Parker who first served as an assistant in 1986, returns for his 14th year on the staff. Others who are new to the staff are Rich King, former Nebraska and Seattle SuperSonics center, and Michael Johnson, an all-state selection from nearby Ballard and four-year letterman at Washington.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.