Four players scored in double figures and the Seattle University defense forced 22 turnovers while the offense only turned the ball over nine times as the Redhawks pulled away for a 78-65 victory Friday night in an exhibition game at the Connolly Center.
Chris Gweth () led all players with 24 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line. Austen Powers (, ) shot 7-of-11 from the field on his way to a 17-point, seven-rebound effort, while Leigh Swanson () finished with 16 points and seven rebounds and Michael Wright (Lakewood, Wash.) contributed ten points and three rebounds.
Seattle University took a 16-9 lead seven minutes into the game before Point Loma Nazarene went on a 16-5 run to jump ahead, 25-21. The Sea Lions went up by as much as eight points in the first half before a three-pointer by Gweth and two free throws from Drew Harris () brought the Redhawks within three at 41-38 at halftime.
After a Brandon Johnson three-pointer gave Point Loma Nazarene a 49-45 lead four minutes into the second half, scored six unanswered points, four of them by Gweth, to pull ahead. Craig Austin’s layup tied the game at 51-51, but a jumper by Powers with 13:11 remaining in the second half gave the Redhawks the lead for good. The Sea Lions came within three at 62-59 with seven minutes left, but a three-pointer by Powers started a 12-3 run that sealed the game for the home team.
Point Loma Nazarene (0-1) was led by Austin, who earned 18 points and eight rebounds, while Johnson scored 13 points and Nate Van Weelden added 12 points. Curtis Carlson grabbed a team-high ten rebounds for the Sea Lions, who shot 62.5 percent from the field in the first half but only 27.3 percent in the second half.
faces Evergreen State College in another exhibition game Tuesday, Nov. 11, beginning at 7 p.m. at the . The Redhawks open the regular season with the Elgin Baylor Classic, facing and Notre Dame de Namur next Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16. Tickets are also on sale through Ticketmaster and GoSeattleU.com for the January 1 game between and Loyola Marymount at KeyArena at the .