SEATTLE – Behind a combined 33 points from Cameron Tyson and John Christofilis, Seattle University men's basketball secured its fifth consecutive season opening win with a 71-60 final against Prairie View A&M Wednesday night in the Redhawk Center.
Tyson finished with 15 points and a game-high eight boards while Christofilis, a Seattle native playing in his first game for the Redhawks, tallied a game-high 18 points on 5-of-8 FGs, including 3-of-4 from three.
Seattle U never trailed in the game after Tyson hit a three for the game's opening bucket. The Redhawks led by as many as 12 on multiple occasions in the first half, ultimately taking a 39-27 advantage into the break.
The lead ballooned to as many as 19, 62-43, with 7:35 remaining in the game. But the Panthers (1-1) would not roll over down the stretch, pulling to within nine before the Redhawks settled in for the 11-point victory.
Nick Gazelles had 16 points off the bench for Prairie View A&M. Charles Smith IV added 15 points for the Panthers.
Seattle U returns to action on Saturday, hosting reigning Big Sky Tournament champion Montana State in a 2 p.m. tilt at the Redhawk Center.
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