LA JOLLA, Calif. – For a second straight season opener, Cameron Tyson turned in a game-changing performance Seattle U men's basketball. While last season, it was his final shot of the night that propelled the Redhawks to victory, on Monday in La Jolla, Calif., it began with his first – a long three on the game's first possession – that ultimately gave Seattle U a lead it would never relinquish in an 85-71 win at UC San Diego.
"To come on the road against a great, well-coached program like UCSD and get this win is a great start to the year," said Head Coach Chris Victor.
Tyson would finish the night with a career-high 35 points, besting his previous high of 32 set two seasons ago at Houston. The redshirt junior shot 12-of-18 from the field, including seven threes and one thunderous dunk later in the second half.
His energy was infectious.
"I think we had some nerves early in practice and leading up to this game," said Victor. "But when Cam started the game the way he did, I think everyone had a little exhale and gained a little confidence from the way he started. For Cam to come out in the first game on the road and play the way he did, it was pretty impressive. We were hoping to see Cam to take that leadership role this year and he came right out of the gates and did it."
Joining Tyson in double figures were Riley Grigsby with 14 points and Emeka Udenyi with 10. Alex Schumacher added nine points, five from the charity stripe, while Brandton Chatfield and Anjaylo Lloyd had six apiece.
UCSD was paced by Bryce Pope's 23 points. Big man Emmanuel Tshimanga added 15 points for the Tritons, who shot 47 percent from the field, but managed just 5-of-20 from three.
Seattle U connected on 14 triples while also hauling in 14 offensive rebounds for 19 second chance points.
The Redhawks return to Seattle on Wednesday to host University of Puget Sound in a 7 p.m. tilt at the Redhawk Center. The 2021-22 Western Athletic Conference regular season championship will be celebrated pregame with a ring and banner unveil ceremony.
Season and non-conference single game tickets are available now. To purchase, visit goseattleu.com/tix. For more information about courtside seating, flex packages or VIP hospitality, please contact the Seattle U Athletics box office at 206-398-GOSU or seattleutickets@seattleu.edu.
"To come on the road against a great, well-coached program like UCSD and get this win is a great start to the year," said Head Coach Chris Victor.
Tyson would finish the night with a career-high 35 points, besting his previous high of 32 set two seasons ago at Houston. The redshirt junior shot 12-of-18 from the field, including seven threes and one thunderous dunk later in the second half.
His energy was infectious.
"I think we had some nerves early in practice and leading up to this game," said Victor. "But when Cam started the game the way he did, I think everyone had a little exhale and gained a little confidence from the way he started. For Cam to come out in the first game on the road and play the way he did, it was pretty impressive. We were hoping to see Cam to take that leadership role this year and he came right out of the gates and did it."
Joining Tyson in double figures were Riley Grigsby with 14 points and Emeka Udenyi with 10. Alex Schumacher added nine points, five from the charity stripe, while Brandton Chatfield and Anjaylo Lloyd had six apiece.
UCSD was paced by Bryce Pope's 23 points. Big man Emmanuel Tshimanga added 15 points for the Tritons, who shot 47 percent from the field, but managed just 5-of-20 from three.
Seattle U connected on 14 triples while also hauling in 14 offensive rebounds for 19 second chance points.
The Redhawks return to Seattle on Wednesday to host University of Puget Sound in a 7 p.m. tilt at the Redhawk Center. The 2021-22 Western Athletic Conference regular season championship will be celebrated pregame with a ring and banner unveil ceremony.
Season and non-conference single game tickets are available now. To purchase, visit goseattleu.com/tix. For more information about courtside seating, flex packages or VIP hospitality, please contact the Seattle U Athletics box office at 206-398-GOSU or seattleutickets@seattleu.edu.
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