SEATTLE – Cameron Tyson drained a pair of free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining and a Hail Mary inbound throw by Montana State was deflected by the Redhawks as Seattle U men's basketball held on for a 71-68 win on Homecoming, Saturday in the Redhawk Center.
Tyson was one of four Redhawks in double figures, leading all scorers with 18 points, including 13 in the second half. Brandton Chatfield was one point shy of his career high, finishing with 17 points. Alex Schumacher added 15 points and nine assists, while Kobe Williamson added 12 points off the bench.
The Bobcats (1-1) were paced by Brian Goracke's 18 points. Also in double figures were Patrick McMahon with 15 and Tyler Patterson with 11.
A physical, grind from start to finish, the game saw 11 lead changes and seven ties.
While managing just 2-of-20 from beyond the arc, the Redhawks pounded the interior, earning a 42-22 advantage in points in the paint.
A 6-0 Seattle U spurt, capped by a driving layup from Schumacher to close out the first half, sent the home team into the locker room with a 30-25 advantage.
A 9-2 Montana State run in the second half had the Bobcats briefly leading, 44-42, with just under 12 minutes to play. But Chatfield would go to work for the Redhawks, scoring nine straight points in the paint to put Seattle U back in the driver's seat.
Montana State would pull within one twice more down the stretch, but Seattle U answered each time, including the Tyson free throws in the final seconds.
The Redhawks conclude their season-opening, three-game homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 15, hosting Northern Arizona in the first of three games this season at Climate Pledge Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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