BOX SCORE

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Dominican University of California men's basketball team fell 81-63 against host Seattle Pacific University on Friday evening in the marquee game of the Sodexho Tip-off Classic's first night.

Dominican (0-2) trailed by just five points going into the locker room 39-34 at halftime while shooting just .294 and sending the Falcons (1-0) to the free throw line 22 times. Seattle Pacific shot .409 in the first half despite making just 2-of-9 three pointers.

With 12:13 to play the Penguins cut the lead to 52-49 on a Killian Larson layup from Alastair Flack. Dominican made two costly turnovers in the next several minutes, allowing Seattle Pacific to stretch the lead to 64-53 with seven minutes to play. From there the Falcons, favored to win the GNAC this season, held the Penguins at bay.

"As nice as it is to play in my home state we're disappointed with the result," said Puyallup, Wash. native Larson. "We need to communicate better on defense and play a full forty minutes."

Austin Bryan led Dominican with 20 points. Alex Ward recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Larson added 10 points in limited play due to early foul trouble.

Flack and Xander McNally each dished out four assists in the loss.

Three Falcons reached double digits. Chris Bancheros made six field goals and went a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line.

The Dominican men compete in the second day of the Sodxeho Tipoff Classic on Saturday, Nov. 21. The Penguins face Western Washington University. WWU is coming off a 72-58 win over Cal State Monterey Bay. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. at Brougham Pavilion on the Seattle Pacific University campus.