PHOENIX – In a key match-up for seeding in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, Seattle U men's basketball played senior night spoilers at Grand Canyon, downing the Lopes, 65-54, at GCU Arena Friday.
The win in Phoenix was the first for the Redhawks since the 2015-16 season, and keeps Seattle U firmly in fourth in the WAC Tournament seeding.
"This was our best 40 minutes of basketball this season," said Head Coach Chris Victor. "And what timing for it. We've been struggling a little bit and we've been talking about getting back to who we know we can be. To come here and do that on the road at GCU on this night, with different guys stepping up. It's a special night for our team and hopefully we can find a way to keep the momentum rolling."
Cameron Tyson led all scorers with 22 points, including 16 second-half points. Brandon Chatfield finished with 14 points on a perfect 7-of-7 from the field. Alex Schumacher added 10 points and Paris Dawson had nine.
GCU (18-11, 9-7 WAC) was paced by Ray Harrison's 19 points. Gabe McGlothan had 12.
The Redhawks (19-10, 10-6 WAC) were in the drivers seat right out of the gates, forcing the first of 10 GCU first-half turnovers on the opening possession. A Schumacher to Chatfield alleyoop dunk opened the scoring on the ensuing possession.
Seattle U would not allow a GCU field goal until the 15:04 mark and a dominating defensive first half had the Redhawks doubled up on the Lopes at the break, 26-13. The teams each went 0-for-7 from deep in the frame, but Chatfield paced the Redhawks with 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting.
The second half started much like the first as the Lopes opened the frame with a turnover and Tyson followed by knocking down the game's first three. Emeka Udenyi converted a layup off another GCU turnover, McGlothan sank two free throws and Tyson drained a second three for a 19-point Seattle U lead, forcing a GCU called timeout.
After managing just 19% from the field in the first, GCU chipped away in the second, using an 8-0 run to cut the spread to eight, 45-37 with 9:39 to play. But the Redhawks continued to hit big shots, grab key rebounds and extend the lead back to double figures.
A Chatfield alleyoop dunk out of a full court press break made it 60-47 Seattle U with 2:56 to play. The Lopes got no closer than 10 the remainder of the night.
The Redhawks remain on the road for one more, traveling to St. George, Utah, to face Utah Tech on Wednesday, March 1. The regular season concludes at the Redahwk Center on Friday, March 3 with a 7 p.m. tip against UT Arlington. Game tickets can be purchased online at goseattleu.com/tix or by calling the Seattle U Athletics Ticket Office at 206-398-GOSU.
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