SEATTLE – Seattle University and Liberty University went toe-to-toe in a game that featured 11 tie scores, 18 lead changes and a lead no more than six points for either side. But the Flames would get the last swing, closing out the game with eight straight points to earn a rare visiting team victory in the Redhawk Center, 66-64, to spoil Seattle U's Homecoming game.
Liberty's Kaden Metheny pushed the visitors ahead in the final minute, hitting back-to-back threes, including the final go-ahead with 3.7 seconds remaining. Methany finished with 15 points, on five three pointers.
Seattle U's John Christofilis led all players in scoring, finishing with 16 points, including four threes. Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe joined Christofilis in double figures with 12 points, but was hampered by foul trouble much of the night.
Paris Dawson and Vasja Pandža added nine points each off the bench and Maleek Arington chipped in eight points to of with four assists and five steals.
A defensive chess match in the first half, neither team got much going offensively and settled in for a 27-27 tie score at the half.
The stalemate continued into the second half, with the teams continuing to go back and forth. Trailing 56-54 with just under five minutes to play, Christofilis knocked down a pull-up three to put the Redhawks up one. A defensive stop led to a Moncrieffe layup and another stop led to a deep three by Christofilis, forcing a Liberty called timeout.
The Flames' Owen Aquino and Moncrieffe traded dunks and Seattle U led by six, 64-58, with 1:57 remaining. But the Redhawks would not score again as Liberty scored eight straight and a last second near half-court heave from Will Heimbrodt would not fall.
Seattle U heads back out on the road next week, traveling to Southern California for a pair of match-ups against Big West Conference foes. First up is a Thursday meeting with Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. Tip off is 7 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN+.
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