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Tough games ahead. Following a fine tip-off to the women’s basketball campaign, Seattle Pacific University finds a tougher road ahead. The 19th-ranked Falcons (3-0) cross the state to take on Gonzaga (5-3) Thursday night (Nov. 30). Then comes the final pre-Christmas home game, Saturday (Dec. 2) against undefeated Lewis-Clark State (7-0), ranked 10th in NAIA Division I. On the heels of final exams are four straight games against CCAA contenders, including No. 6 Chico State at the CCAA-GNAC Challenge Dec. 8-9.

Same old tricks. There may be four new faces in the Falcons' starting five, but the outcome of games is much the same. SPU is winning and winning big. The Falcons outscored opponents by 20 or more points in a pair of victories at their own Sodexho Tip-Off tournament. After that was closer, 72-67, in-region win over San Francisco State, the 72nd regular season home win in the last 73 tries.

Getting defensive. Compared to the fast-breaking Elite Eight teams of the past few seasons, this squad has exhibited a grit and staunch defense. Opponents have shot just 32 percent from the field and averaged only 56.3 points. Azusa Pacific, which was coming off an upset of conference co-favorite Central Washington, was held to 39 points. In the last 15 games dating back to late last season, SPU is holding foes to 54.1 points.

Bench barrage. Defense requires energy and by spreading minutes throughout the roster and keep fresh legs on the floor, Seattle Pacific has created an ability to pressure the ball up and down the court. The bench is also loaded with plenty of shooters capable of sparking the offense. Jackie Hollands (Jr., 5-9, Oregon City, Or./Washington) led the non-starters in all three contests, including career highs of 14 points, six assists and five steals in the opening win over Warner Pacific. Jessie Christensen (Jr., 5-9, Enumclaw, Wa.) also made a strong impression, with career highs of seven points, 10 rebounds and three assists. The SPU reserves outscored their counterparts by a combined margin of 83-51. Hollands, who is averaging 21 minutes off the bench, is the team's leading scorer (12.0) and was named to the Sodexho all-tournament team.

A leg up. Where’s the head coach been during these first few games? Not on the bench. Julie van Beek underwent a successful surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained prior to the season opener. Although van Beek has been missing from the bench, she was able to view the San Francisco State game from the stands (she had reviewed the first two game videos) and she has attended most practices. Michelle Skyles, the top assistant, has directed the team through each game, with help from Sasha Anderson. Skyles was an assistant coach for Eastern Washington in 2004-05. It is uncertain when van Beek will return to the bench.

At last, Strand. With the loss of shot-blocking specialist Brittney Kroon and rebounder-extraordinaire Carli Grant, the interior game may have initially been in question. However, veteran Rachel Strand (6-0, Shoreline, Wa./King's) has helped squash the doubts of any naysayer, averaging nearly a double-double (8.7 points, 10.7 rebounds) in the first three contests. A solid and early option off the bench the past two seasons, Strand has started all three contests, logging the most minutes (26.3) on the team. She contributed 12 points and tallied career highs of 13 rebounds and three blocks in the season opener and her totals of 21 points and 22 rebounds earned her all-tournament honors. Strands is the early leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference rebounding and is No. 4 in blocks (1.3). Center Kelsey Hill (So., 6-2, Portland, Or./Portland Christian) has complimented Strand, averaging 6.3 boards.

Put-backs. Seattle Pacific moved up five spots in the first national rankings for the regular season. It had been 24th in the preseason...Gonzaga is the first regular season Division I opponent since the Falcons defeated Portland State in 1996-97...SPU won its 20th straight home opener with its victory over Warner Pacific…Autumn Fielding (Sr., 5-9, Kennewick, Wa./Idaho) led the Falcons with 14 points in the victory over San Francisco State. She also had 11 points and grabbed a career-high six rebounds in the win over Warner Pacific…Libby Magnuson (Jr., 5-10, White Bear Lake, Mn./Bradley) led SPU with 12 points to go along with five rebounds, five steals and three assists in the victory over Azusa Pacific…The starting five for the first three games has been Fielding, Magnuson, Hill, SStrand and Beth Christensen (Jr., 5-5, Enuclaw, Wa.). Christensen had a key three-point play in the final minutes of the SFSU game, and finished with 12 points and three steals...The Falcons are shooting just 36 percent thus far. Only reserve forward Megan Hoisington (Fr., 5-11, Bremerton, Wa./Central Kitsap) is hitting over 50 percent (6-9). Fielding has connected on 43 percent (6-14) of her three-pointers and 87 percent (14-16) at the foul line...Kroon has returned to her native Alaska and is currently an intern in the Alaska Anchorage athletic department.

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.