Charles Garcia (Los Angeles, Calif.) again led the way for Seattle University with 25 points and eight rebounds, hitting 7-of-13 shots from the field and 11-of-18 attempts from the free throw line. Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, Calif.) finished with nine points, four assists, and two steals, while Mike Boxley (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) collected nine points and five rebounds.
Early in the second half, Chase Holmes hit a three-pointer to put Presbyterian up, 38-35, but SeattleU was able to draw several fouls on the Blue Hose and hit six free throws over the next four minutes to pull into a 41-41 tie. The Redhawks took the lead for good on a steal and layup by Ricky Berry (Phoenix, Ariz.), followed by a steal by Burrell, who fed Boxley for the easy bucket.
Presbyterian (0-5) did not give up, cutting a late seven-point advantage to two with two free throws from Holmes and a three-pointer by Travis Smith with 44 seconds remaining. On its next possession, SeattleU brought the shot clock down to single digits before Garcia hit a jumper with eight seconds left. The Blue Hose had a couple of chances but could not come any closer in the final moments.
Seattle University received solid bench play during the game, as Chris Gweth (Beaverton, Ore.) earned eight points and four rebounds and Garrett Lever (Phoenix, Ariz.) contributed six points and five rebounds. The Redhawks committed a season-low eight turnovers and won the rebounding battle, 35-30, allowing Presbyterian only two offensive boards.
Back-to-back baskets by Burrell with around six minutes remaining in the first half allowed Seattle University to open its biggest lead of the first half at 27-22, but Presbyterian fought back, scoring seven unanswered points to pull ahead, 29-27. SeattleU scored six of the final eight points of the half to take a 33-31 lead into halftime despite shooting only 33.3 percent from the field, including 1-of-11 from behind the three-point line.
Holmes and Jake Troyli each scored 18 points to lead the Blue Hose, with Troyli shooting 7-of-8 from the field and also collecting six rebounds and two steals. Presbyterian shot 52.4 percent from the field, including 7-of-14 from the three-point line, but could not overcome 23 turnovers and few second chance opportunities.
Seattle University (4-2) concludes its participation in the HoopTV Las Vegas Invitational Saturday, Nov. 28, by facing Wofford College at the Orleans Arena beginning at 2:30 p.m. Wofford (3-3) defeated Southern, 81-66, in Friday's first game. Dave Grosby and Gary Hill, Jr., will bring all the action from courtside on 710 ESPN Seattle.