PORTLAND, Ore. — Shaking off the rust of nearly nine months since their last game, along with a nearly entirely new roster, Seattle University men's basketball used a huge second half to open the 2020-21 season with an 84-72 win over Portland Wednesday night at the Chiles Center. The game was the first of the U.S. Bank Portland Invitational.
After trailing 39-31 at the break, the Redhawks (1-0) found their groove in the second half, hitting 54 percent from the field, inclusion 8-of-15 from three, to outscore the Pilots (0-1), 53-33 in the frame.
"Road wins are happiness and season-opening road wins are even sweeter," said Head Coach Jim Hayford. "To get a road win, to start this season with a win, is a great feeling. We've got a lot of weapons, tonight it was Riley."
Junior Riley Grigsby led all scorers with a career-high 28 points on 10-of-19 from the field, including four threes, and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. He added six boards, four assists and two blocks on the night.
Darrion Trammell came off the bench to add 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds, while Emeka Udenyi added 12 points and Kobe Williamson finished with 10.
Portland was paced by Ahmed Ali and Chase Adams, who each finished with 13 points.
The Redhawks managed just 12-of-33 from the field and 4-of-14 from three in the first half while the Pilots managed a 52 percent clip (13-of-25) while also earning 10 points at the free-throw line.
Portland was also dominant on the boards in the first half, holding a 22-14 edge.
The Pilots hit a pair of free throws to open the second half and claim their largest lead of the night, 41-31, before Seattle U surged forward.
Back-to-back-to-back triples by Grigsby, Trammell and Aaron Nettles forced a UP timeout and a brief pause in the run. But following a Portland free throw, Grigsby would tie the game, 42-42 on a jumper in the paint.
The teams traded threes before Grigsby would give Seattle U their first lead since the 11:07 mark of the first half with a runner in the lane with 16:24 to play. The Redhawks would never trail again.
Portland would pull within three, 69-66, with 6:02 to play, but Seattle U would answer with an 11-4 run to push the spread back to a comfortable double-digit margin in the final minutes.
The Redhawks continue play at the U.S. Bank Portland Invitational on Friday, facing William Jessup at noon in the Chiles Center.
After trailing 39-31 at the break, the Redhawks (1-0) found their groove in the second half, hitting 54 percent from the field, inclusion 8-of-15 from three, to outscore the Pilots (0-1), 53-33 in the frame.
"Road wins are happiness and season-opening road wins are even sweeter," said Head Coach Jim Hayford. "To get a road win, to start this season with a win, is a great feeling. We've got a lot of weapons, tonight it was Riley."
Junior Riley Grigsby led all scorers with a career-high 28 points on 10-of-19 from the field, including four threes, and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. He added six boards, four assists and two blocks on the night.
Darrion Trammell came off the bench to add 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds, while Emeka Udenyi added 12 points and Kobe Williamson finished with 10.
Portland was paced by Ahmed Ali and Chase Adams, who each finished with 13 points.
The Redhawks managed just 12-of-33 from the field and 4-of-14 from three in the first half while the Pilots managed a 52 percent clip (13-of-25) while also earning 10 points at the free-throw line.
Portland was also dominant on the boards in the first half, holding a 22-14 edge.
The Pilots hit a pair of free throws to open the second half and claim their largest lead of the night, 41-31, before Seattle U surged forward.
Back-to-back-to-back triples by Grigsby, Trammell and Aaron Nettles forced a UP timeout and a brief pause in the run. But following a Portland free throw, Grigsby would tie the game, 42-42 on a jumper in the paint.
The teams traded threes before Grigsby would give Seattle U their first lead since the 11:07 mark of the first half with a runner in the lane with 16:24 to play. The Redhawks would never trail again.
Portland would pull within three, 69-66, with 6:02 to play, but Seattle U would answer with an 11-4 run to push the spread back to a comfortable double-digit margin in the final minutes.
The Redhawks continue play at the U.S. Bank Portland Invitational on Friday, facing William Jessup at noon in the Chiles Center.