SEATTLE – Alex Schumacher converted a put-back layup as time expired and Seattle University men's basketball rallied from a 15-point deficit to earn a hard-fought 48-46 Western Athletic Conference win over California Baptist Saturday afternoon at the Redhawk Center.
The win was the fourth straight for the Redhawks, who move to 10-5 on the season and 3-1 in WAC play. CBU dropped to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in league play.
A defensive battle from start to finish, Seattle U found itself trailing 31-20 at the break and 35-20 at the 17:42 mark after CBU's Blondeau Tchoukuiegno opened the second half with back-to-back buckets.
But Cameron Tyson sparked a Redhawk comeback, scoring 11 straight points during a 13-1 run that saw Seattle U pull within three, 36-33.
The Lancers put together a 7-0 spurt to open things back up, but Seattle U rallied again. Brandton Chatfield powered in back-to-back buckets in the paint and John Christofilis drained a second-chance three. Seyi Reiley went coast-to-coast for a layup off a shot clock violation by the Lancers to pull the Redhawks within one before a Tyson jumper gave Seattle U the lead, 44-43 with 5:09 to play.
After being held without a point for nearly seven minutes, CBU briefly took the lead back on a Tchoukuiegno layup. Paris Dawson responded with a jumper in the paint with 3:21 to play.
CBU would not score another field goal in the game and the Redhawks would not hit until the final buzzer.
Tied 46-46, Tyson attempted a game-winning corner three, but it rimmed out to the near side for Schumacher who quickly laid it back in to beat the final horn.
SCHU CALLS GAME?????????? pic.twitter.com/W2wwNvEhjZ
— Seattle U Men's Basketball (@seattleumbb) January 7, 2024
Tyson finished with a game-high 17 points. Chatfield added 13 points and eight boards, while Christofilis had seven points.
CBU had three players finish with nine points apiece as Seattle U matched its season low in opponent points scored.
The Redhawks head to Texas for the next three, beginning Thursday, Jan. 11 at UTRGV. Tip off from the UTRGV Field House is 6:30 p.m. Central, 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
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