SEATTLE – Junior Carl Arts had senior Buddy Bailey both had career-best scoring nights, but it wasn't enough for the Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team as they lost a first-place showdown with Seattle Pacific, 89-80, Saturday night at Brougham Pavilion.

The Seawolves (18-8, 9-6 GNAC) lost for the first time this season when shooting over 50 percent, getting 10 points from center Ivan Platenik as well. The Falcons (17-9, 10-5) were even hotter, however, putting six players in double figures and shooting 59.6 percent from the field.

SPU was led by guard Dustin Bremerman's 18 points and six rebounds, helping the home team outrebound UAA 33-19.

Despite starting the night in a tie with SPU, UAA now falls to fourth place in the crowded Great Northwest Athletic Conference race, one game behind the Falcons and half a game behind Seattle University and Central Washington.

Arts finished with 29 points for the Seawolves, shooting 9 of 13 from the field, 3 of 3 on three-pointers and 8 of 9 from the free throw line. But the Seawolf forward picked up his second foul midway through the first half and had to sit out about 10 minutes.

That would be crucial as the Seawolves – who started fast thanks to Bailey (21 pts, 5-11 FG, 10-11 FT) – couldn't hang on to a 30-20 lead, giving up and 18-0 SPU run at that point.

UAA went into the break trailing 38-33 and twice pulled within two points in the final 10 minutes, but got no closer as SPU stretched its lead to 80-69 with 5:32 remaining.

The Seawolves, currently ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Div. II West Region, face a critical battle at arch-rival Alaska Fairbanks to end the regular season Mar. 3 (7 p.m.). The Nanooks are ranked 10th in the West and sit just a half-game behind UAA in the fifth place.