SEATTLE (Nov. 21) – Ralph Steele, a transfer guard, led a balanced attack with 16 points in his debut as Seattle Pacific University opened its men’s basketball season by beating Florida’s Saint Leo 78-51in the opening round of the Wilcox Farms Tip-Off Classic Friday night at Brougham Pavilion.

The Falcons allowed the fewest points in their last 35 games while connecting on 50 percent (30-60) of their field goals. It was their most lopsided opening-night win in five years. Chad Williams (So., 6-8, Burlington, Wa./B-E/Whatcom CC) and Chris Cohen (Sr., 6-8, St. Helens, Or.) came off the bench for 11 points apiece.

SPU (1-0) never trailed but it was a run of 15 consecutive points in the second half which put the game out of the Lions’ (0-1) reach, 63-39 with nine minutes to go. Jordan Lee (Sr., 6-2, Tacoma, Wa./Life Christian) ignited it with a trey and later added a driving layup.

The Falcons first pulled away in the final nine minutes of the opening half, primarily through perimeter shooting. A tip-in by Jason Chivers (Jr., 6-8, Los Angeles) started a run of nine unanswered points for a 22-13 advantage. SPU finished the period with a 9-3 burst, punctuated by a Jeff Knudson (So., 6-7, Mukilteo, Wa./Kamiak) three-pointer at the buzzer for a 41-23 lead.

Saint Leo made just 31 percent (19-62) of its shots from the field. Freshman reserve Jamie Turner was the game’s top scorer with 17 points and Larry Henderson had 14.

Steele (Jr., 6-2, North Birmingham, Al./Citrus Ca. JC) was 6-13 from the floor. He was the only starter in double figures; the SPU bench outscored their counterparts 37-26. Chivers snared 13 rebounds to help SPU take a 41-37 advantage on the boards. Seattle Pacific was 9-23 outside the arc, with Williams connecting on all three of his attempts. Steele, Knudson and Lee each made two three-pointers.

Saint Leo faces Northwest Nazarene, an 82-76 victor over Southwest Baptist, in the second round Saturday at 3. SPU plays Southwest Baptist at 7.

SEATTLE PACIFIC 78, SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY 51

SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY (0-1 (0-0)) TURNER, Jamie 5-8 3-4 17; HENDERSON, Larry 5-13 4-7 14; BLUE, Richard 2-9 1-2 5; LAMONS, Jackie 2-8 0-0 4; KEETON, Jordan 2-6 0-0 4; VELOSO, Javier 1-7 0-0 3; ESHESIMUA, George 1-6 0-1 2; CALDWELL, Narada 1-3 0-0 2; BATES, Leonard 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 19-62 8-14 51.

SEATTLE PACIFIC (1-0 (0-0)) Steele,Ralph 6-13 2-2 16; Williams,Chad 4-4 0-2 11; Cohen,Chris 4-5 3-3 11; Chivers,Jason 4-10 0-1 8; Lee,Jordan 3-5 0-0 8; Binetti,Tony 3-7 0-0 6; Knudson,Jeff 2-6 0-0 6; Bremerman, Dustin 2-8 1-1 5; Bushmaker,Mike 2-2 1-2 5. Totals 30-60 9-13 78.

Saint Leo University.......... 23 28 - 51 
Seattle Pacific............... 41 37 - 78 

3-point goals-Saint Leo University 5-20 (TURNER, Jamie 4-5; VELOSO, Javier 1-7; BLUE, Richard 0-2; KEETON, Jordan 0-2; ESHESIMUA, George 0-3; BATES, Leonard 0-1), Seattle Pacific 9-23 (Williams,Chad 3-3; Knudson,Jeff 2-6; Steele,Ralph 2-6; Lee,Jordan 2-2; Bremerman,Dustin 0-5; Binetti,Tony 0-1). Fouled out--Saint Leo University-None, Seattle Pacific-None. Rebounds-Saint Leo University 37 (LAMONS, Jackie 8), Seattle Pacific 41 (Chivers,Jason 13). Assists-Saint Leo University 14 (CALDWELL, Narada 5; BLUE, Richard 5), Seattle Pacific 21 (Binetti,Tony 6). Total fouls-Saint Leo University 17, Seattle Pacific 14. A-725