Back in business. Following its longest layoff of the season, the No. 3-ranked Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball team continues its pre-league schedule with the final contest of a season-opening four-game home stand. The Falcons look to keep their perfect record intact and seek their 64th straight regular season home win Saturday night (Dec. 3) in the first game of the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Challenge. Back on the floor after 13 days off, SPU (3-0) hosts undefeated Lewis-Clark State (4-0). It’s the final home game for 2005, with the team playing its next seven games on the road, beginning Dec. 9 against Chico State in Bellingham.

Fast starts. The Falcons wasted no time putting opponents away early in a pair of victories in their own Sodexho Tip-Off Classic tournament, back before Thanksgiving. In both victories, SPU nearly doubled its opponents’ first-half production, outscoring Biola and Minnesota State Moorhead by a combined count of 93-49 in the first 20 minutes of each contest. The Falcons shot over 50 percent from both the field overall and from three-point range in the first period of both wins.

All-tourney time. Veterans Jenny Poe (Sr., 5-8, Enumclaw, Wa.) and Mandy Wood (Sr., 5-6, Port Angeles, Wa.) were selected to the Sodexho Tip-Off Classic all-tournament team after leading the Falcons to victories over Biola (77-68) and Minnesota State Moorhead (78-49). Starting at point guard, Wood averaged a team-best 16.0 points in the two games and shot 57 percent from the field, including a whopping 60 percent (6-10) from behind the arc. She also averaged 4.0 assists per contest. Wood lit up Biola for 20 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point land. Poe averaged 14.0 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds. She led all scorers with 15 points in the win over Moorhead.

Depth is key. Seattle Pacific is again exhibiting great depth. Last year the Falcons ranked among the national scoring leaders, yet no player averaged above 13.0 points. SPU starts off with a similar balance this season as eight players average at least 5.7 points. It begins with unselfish play, with nearly twice as many assists (77-40) as opponents. Wood has been the catalyst, with a 4.7 assists per game. Three other players are averaging at least 3.0 assists.

Three threats. Even though first-year coach Julie van Beek has placed a strong emphasis on more production in the paint, Seattle Pacific can still light it up from long distance, and plenty of people can dial from deep. The Falcons lead the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in both three-pointers made (7.33) and three-point percentage (.440). SPU torched the nets at the tournament, hitting 17 treys to five for their foes. Wood ranks second in the GNAC in three-point accuracy (.615) and three-pointers made (2.67). Jackie Hollands (So., 5-9, Oregon City, Or.) is fifth in percentage (.500) and Autumn Fielding (Jr., 5-9, Kennewick, Wa.) is 10th (.429).

Role playing. Seattle Pacific’s imposing interior presence, Brittney Kroon (Sr., 6-4, Wasilla, Ak.), was back in action last weekend after missing the season opener due to illness, and it didn’t take long for opponents to feel the effects. Kroon, who was the nation’s top shot-blocker as a sophomore and owns every school and conference blocks record, swatted a total of 10 shots in the two wins, including six against Minnesota State Moorhead. She also averaged 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Put-backs. After this weekend, the next home game is nearly five weeks away. Saint Martin’s visits Jan. 5...Four Falcons scored in double figures in the victory over Moorhead, the 34th straight regular season win. Along with Poe’s 15, Carli Grant (Sr., 5-11, Spokane, Wa./Valley Christian) posted her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Wood scored 12, and Kelsey Hill (Fr., 6-2, Portland, Or./Portland Christian) had 11 points in 18 minutes off the bench...Sisters Beth Christensen (So., 5-5, Enumclaw, Wa.) and Jessie Christensen (So., 5-9, Enumclaw, Wa.) both posted new career highs in scoring versus Biola. Beth tallied 12 points and also set new career mark in rebounds (6) and steals (4) in 26 minutes off the bench. Jessie added five points on 2-2 shooting...Seattle Pacific boasts the No. 2 scoring offense (83.3) and the No. 2 scoring defense (59.7) in the conference early in the season, and is outscoring opponents by 23.7 points per game...The Falcons lead the league in all shooting percentages with .471 from the field, .440 from three-point range and .787 from the free-throw line...With Kroon back patrolling the middle, SPU also leads the GNAC in blocked shots with 5.67 per game. Kroon is averaging 5.0 per contest, which is equal to or better than the overall total of eight of the league’s nine other teams...Grant is No. 3 in GNAC field-goal percentage (.619), and No. 5 in rebounding (9.3). Wood is the leader in free throw percentage (6-6), No. 4 in assists (4.7) and No. 5 in shooting (.607). She’s also tied with Beth Christensen for third in steals (2.67). Wood is second in three-point accuracy (.615), with Hollands fifth (3-6, .500)...Jessie Menkens (Jr., 5-10, Battle Ground, Wa./Prairie) has been starting alongside Wood in the backcourt...Former coach Gordy Presnell recorded his 400th career win when Boise State beat Montana State last week. The Broncos are 4-0.

Coaching Staff. Julie van Beek is in her first year as the Falcons’ head coach after building Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene into an NAIA national power. After starting the program from scratch, van Beek’s last six squads reached the playoffs, including a national quarterfinal appearance in 2005. In nine years at the helm her record was 162-119. She is a native of Nampa, Id., and played at Northwest Nazarene. Michelle Skyles is the top assistant, having moved from a similar position at Eastern Washington. Skyles coached Jerome to the Idaho state 4A title in 2004. Sasha Anderson joins the staff following five years as head coach at Snohomish County Christian.

Tickets, please. General admission tickets for all SPU home women’s basketball games are priced $5, with students, youth and senior citizens $3 with proper identification. Reserved seating for doubleheaders with men’s games is $7 and $6. Teams or groups can qualify for discount rates by calling 206-281-2085 in advance.

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.