The Seattle University men’s basketball team made history Thursday evening, using an early second half run to defeat Louisiana Tech, 61-46, in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena, the first victory as a Division I team against a Division I opponent in over 28 years.
Austen Powers (, ), named Carrs/Safeway Player of the Game, led everyone with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, plus he earned three steals. Chris Gweth (, ) finished with 14 points and four assists, hitting three shots from behind the three-point line, while Mike Boxley () finished with eight points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
was up 22-14 with 7:33 remaining in the first half before Louisiana Tech (2-2) scored 12 unanswered points to end the first half and begin the second half. After David Jackson hit a jumper to give the Bulldogs a 26-22 lead, Michael Wright (), Powers, and Gweth hit consecutive three-pointers to give SeattleU a five-point advantage.
Kyle Gibson’s three-pointer cut the Redhawk lead to two, but that would be as close as Louisiana Tech would get the rest of the night. hit 14-of-24 field goal attempts in the second half and forced 18 Bulldog turnovers during the game to come up with the victory.
“Louisiana Tech, like most of our Division I opponents, have players who are taller, quicker, and more athletic. We were successful in being smarter, more focused, and a better team, which is what we will need to hang our hat on all season long,” head coach Joe Callero, who earned his 100th victory at , said after the game. “Tonight we played the best 40 minutes of the season, and I am happy we were able to get this victory.”
Gibson led Louisiana Tech with 14 points, seven points below his season average coming into the game, plus he pulled down six rebounds and dished out four assists. Jackson scored ten points off the bench, Jamel Guyton earned nine points and seven rebounds, and Magnum Rolle, three inches taller than the tallest SeattleU player, was held to seven points and three rebounds as he fought foul trouble and the Redhawks’ matchup zone all night.
The victory is ’s first over a Division I opponent as a Division I program since a 76-58 victory over the in the second-to-last game of the 1979-80 season. SeattleU did defeat , 88-85, in the third game of the 2005-06 season during its brief tenure as a Division II program.
Seattle University (4-1) moves on to the semifinals of the Great Alaska Shootout Friday night, facing San Diego State, a 59-58 winner over Western Carolina in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, beginning at 9 p.m. Pacific time (8 p.m. Alaska time). The game will be broadcast live on FSN Northwest as well as on KKNW 1150 AM.