Seattle University hit several three-pointers in the final stretch of Sunday’s game against Alabama-Birmingham to come within one possession, but the Blazers were able to hold on to defeat the Redhawks, 79-73, in a non-conference men’s collegiate basketball game at Bartow Arena.
Seattle U scored the first seven points of the second half, with four points by Jadon Cohee (Langley, B.C.) sandwiched around a three-pointer from Brendan Westendorf (Kent, Wash.), but UAB extended its lead back to double figures thanks to consecutive three-pointers from Robert Brown.
The Redhawks crept closer, but Denzell Watts kept hitting three-pointers to extend the Blazer lead back into double digits at 55-42. Seattle U went on a 9-2 scoring run, including a three-pointer from Manroop Clair (Vancouver, B.C.), to close to within six at 57-51. However, two three-pointers from Brown and a three-point play by Chris Cokley kept the Redhawks at arm’s length.
Westendorf hit back-to-back three-pointers to close the Seattle U deficit to four at 67-63 with 2:50 left in regulation, but Brown received a shooter’s bounce on his made three-pointer. William Powell (Huntsville, Ala.), playing in front of numerous friends and family, drove in for a layup while being fouled, and he converted on the free throw to bring the Redhawks back within four at 70-66.
Brown missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Tosin Mehinti grabbed the rebound and earned the putback. Powell once again drove in and made a layup and, after a Blazer turnover, Clair hit his fifth three-pointer of the game to bring the Redhawks within one at 72-71 in the final minute of regulation.
On UAB’s next possession, Cokley made a layup while being fouled, and he converted the free throw to extend the Blazer lead back to four. After a missed shot by Seattle U, Hakeem Baxter made two free throws, but Jack Shaughnessy (Woodstock, Ga.) hit two free throws of his own to keep the Redhawks close at 77-73 with 18.5 seconds remaining in regulation.
Nick Norton made two free throws, and Baxter blocked a Redhawk three-point attempt out of bounds. Seattle U had two more chances to cut into the Blazer lead, but both shots did not find the basket, and UAB was able to hold on for the victory.
“We are at the stage where we are over the moral victory part. We committed 14 turnovers in the first half that led to 19 points, so that’s the game. If we don’t commit those turnovers and stay consistent throughout the game, not only are we in the game, but we have a good chance to win it,” Seattle U head coach Cameron Dollar said. “We have to figure out a way to not turn the ball over. We are competing and giving ourselves a chance, but now we need to get better.”
Four Redhawks reached double figures in points, led by Powell and Clair with 15 points apiece, followed by Cohee with 12 points and Jack Crook (Manchester, England) with 11 points to go along with a team-high nine rebounds. Westendorf finished with nine points and seven assists as Seattle U shot 52.9 percent (27-of-51) from the field, including 9-of-17 from behind the three-point line, and 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the free throw line.
UAB (6-3) scored the first four points of the game, but Seattle U responded with a 10-2 scoring run over a span of 3:24, capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Clair and Malik Montoya (Federal Way, Wash.), to take a 12-8 lead. Watts answered with a three-pointer, starting an 11-0 Blazer run that gave the home team a 19-12 advantage halfway through the first half.
Twice, Cohee hit a jumper to close the Redhawk deficit to three, but the Blazers put together an 11-2 scoring run over a four-minute span to extend their lead into double figures at 32-20. Watts would close out the scoring in the first half with a jumper, giving UAB a 37-24 lead at halftime.
Cokley shot 10-of-14 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line as he led all players with 25 points, with Brown hitting six three-pointers to accumulate his 18 points. The Blazers shot 50 percent (30-of-60) from the field, including 10-of-25 from behind the three-point line, and 75 percent (9-of-12) from the free throw line.
Seattle University (3-6) returns to the Puget Sound region, where it will remain for the rest of 2015, starting with the inaugural First Nations Basketball Classic as the Redhawks face Northwest Indian College at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash., Thursday, Dec. 17, starting at 7 p.m. Three of Seattle U’s next four games will then take place at KeyArena, with the only road game a quick trip to Montlake to face the Washington Huskies Tuesday, Dec. 22.