CHENEY, Wash. – Seattle University men's basketball overcame a slow start to finish with a healthy offensive performance in its season opener Wednesday at Eastern Washington. But the Redhawks could not find a defensive formula to slow a hot-shooting Eagles side as the home team claimed a 93-86 final on Reese Court in Cheney, Wash.
Graduate transfer Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe collected a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double in his Redhawk debut and was joined in double figures by John Christofilis (17 points) and Paris Dawson (14 points).
The Redhawks (0-1) shot 47% from the field, including 12-of-22 from three (55%), but Eastern (1-1) bested that mark, hitting 58% from the field while adding 9-of-22 from three and 16-of-20 from the free-throw line.
Moncrieffe won the tip and scored on the opening possession, but the Eagles responded with a 14-0 run over a four minute span.
The Redhawks found some offensive rhythm and clawed their way back. A 9-0 spurt on a trio of threes by Christofilis, Maleek Arington and Vasja Pandža gave Seattle U a brief 28-26 lead, but the Eagles would take a 40-35 advantage into the break.
Trailing 60-48 in the second half, Seattle U put together a 12-2 run to pull within two, 62-60, with 10:09 to play. But they would never get over the hump down the stretch as a five-game, season-opening win streak was snapped.
Pandža had nine points off the bench while Arington, a junior transfer from Idaho State, finished with eight points and seven assists in his Redhawk debut. Brayden Maldonado and Malek Gomma chipped in seven points apiece.
Eastern's Andrew Cook led all scores with 25 points to lead four Eagles in double figures. The Eagles held a 30-28 edge on the boards and committed just six turnovers to the Redhawks' 11.
Seattle U's home opener is set for Saturday, Nov. 9 against Liberty. Tip-off from the Redhawk Center is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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