A first half defensive breakdown proved to be too much, as the Seattle University men's basketball team dropped an 86-56 decision at Fresno State Monday evening.
The Redhawks opened the game with a 5-0 run, before playing back-and-forth with the Bulldogs. Each side saw the lead transfer, but Seattle U would hold a 17-15 lead for nearly three minutes, until Fresno State's Bracken Funk received a pass from Tyler Johnson to send in a trey at 10:50.
SU's Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, Calif.) would respond by sinking a jumper to reestablish the Redhawks' lead, 19-18, at 10:20; however it would be the last time Seattle U would hold the point advantage in the contest.
Fresno State then took off on a 13-0 run over the next five minutes. Their scoring run would be the necessary catalyst for the Bulldogs to take control of the game.
Alex Jones (Phoenix, Ariz.) would add a triple at 5:43 to make it a 10-point game, but his three-pointer was not enough to swing the momentum back to the Redhawks. The Bulldogs went into the break holding a 44-29 advantage.
The second half proved to be an uphill battle that the Redhawks were unable to overcome, despite the offensive efforts of freshman Sterling Carter (Seattle, Wash.), who scored 11 of his team-leading 16 points in the final half of action.
Aaron Broussard (Federal Way, Wash.) and Jones both scored in double figures, as well, with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Seattle U (8-13) will have a week before taking on Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif. The Redhawks will square off with the Lions on Monday, Jan. 31, in a 7 p.m. contest.