IRVINE, Calif. – No. 23 Concordia University Irvine closed out the Aramark GNAC/PacWest Challenge with an 80-66 loss against Seattle Pacific.

Five different Eagles scored in double figures but the Falcons were able to knock down the majority of their free throws which helped them come out on top.

Rob McCoy led a balanced scoring attack for the Eagles with 12 points while Kayle Knuckles and Robert Taylor each added 11. Jalen Sanders also chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds and Jamel White had 10.

The Eagles fell behind in the early going 15-6 but regrouped midway through the first half thanks to their defense.  Back-to-back blocks by Andre Green energized the Eagles who promptly went on a 12-3 run and were able to draw even at 18-18. A few dribbles later, Jamel White came up with a board and sent a touchdown pass ahead to Robert Taylor for a breakaway dunk that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

White assisted Knuckles on a teardrop trey a couple possessions later to trim the Falcons lead to 29-28. Then a driving layup by Green knotted the game up at 32 right before the half. Taylor led a balanced scoring attack with nine first-half points while Green, McCoy and Knuckles all had five before the break.

SPU started the second half heading right to the rim and converting a handful of layups to build a tidy 43-39 lead. The Eagles hung around and received a boost from Mike Mellinger who helped get the Eagles closer with a huge corner three to the delight of the home crowd.

But Concordia was unable to put together another run to reclaim the lead. SPU went 26-for-29 at the charity stripe and made 50 percent of its three-pointers (6-for-12). CUI collected eight blocks, but SPU continued to head right to the rim and that strategy ended up being key.

"We didn't play well tonight but every loss is a learning point and every win is a learning point so we just have to come in this next week, get better and try to be the best team we can be," said Mellinger.

The Eagles will be back in action on Thursday, Nov. 21 when they host Antelope Valley at 7 p.m. in CU Arena.  For the full CUI men's basketball schedule, click here.