SEATTLE – Seattle U men's basketball went cold from the field down the stretch and couldn't get some key stops late as Western Athletic Conference leader Utah Valley served the Redhawks their first setback in the Redhawk Center this season, 67-58, Saturday evening.
Alex Schumacher's setback jumper put Seattle U (18-10, 9-6 WAC) ahead 48-46, but the Wolverines (21-6, 12-2 WAC) outscored the Redhawks 21-10 in the final seven minutes. Seattle U finished 2-of-14 down the stretch, missing its final eight attempts.
Despite shooting just 23 percent in the opening frame, and having no player with more than five points, Utah Valley righted its offensive ship in the second half, connecting on 17-of-31 from the field. Four Wolverines finished in double figures, paced by Le'Tre Darthard's 19 points. Trey Woodbury had 11, while Justin Harmon and Tim Fuller added 10 apiece. Big man Aziz Bandaogo was held to just eight points but hauled in 17 rebounds on the night.
Shumacher was the lone Redhawk to reach double figures, finishing the night with 19 points. Emeka Udenyi added eight points while three others had seven.
A ragged first half saw each side lead by as many as five. Team teams combined for a dozen turnovers and just 3-for-25 shooting from beyond the arc.
A Riley Grigsby three followed by aa layup from Brandon Chatfield gave Seattle U a 24-19 lead with 3:34 to play in the first. Neither team would manage a field goal for the remainder of the half and a pair of Darthard free throws made it a three-point game, 24-21, at the break.
The second half featured five tie scores and five lead changes until UVU pulled away down the stretch.
Seattle U heads back out on the road for its next two games, beginning Friday, Feb. 24 at Grand Canyon.
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