SEATTLE – Seattle University men's basketball suffered a disappointing end to non-conference play and the calendar year as Nicholls closed out Monday's contest with seven straight points, erasing the Redhawks' lead and sending the home team to a 71-69 setback.
The Redhawks concluded their 14-game non-conference slate with a 5-9 record. Nicholls, the preseason third pick out of the Southland Conference, moves to 8-5 on the season.
Seattle U jumped out to an early 13-4 lead, but the Colonels closed the gap, tying the game at 13-all. The visitors would lead by as many as seven in the first half before a pair of Maleek Arington free throws cut it to three, 35-32, at the half.
The Colonels hit their first four shots of the second half before Seattle U turned up the defense, holding their opponent scoreless for five minutes.
With 13:34 to play, a John Christofilis three in transition gave the Redhawks their first lead of the second half, 47-45. The lead would stretch to nine, 62-53, on a pair of Houran Dan free throws with 5:19 to go.
Down nine with four minutes to play, the Colonels scored five quick points to cut Seattle U's lead to four, 64-60. The Redhawks continued to lead, 69-64, with 51 seconds remaining.
Nicholls' Emarion Ellis would knock down a jumper, then Michael Gray Jr., drained three free throws off of a Seattle U turnover and foul on his three-point attempt to tie the score at 67-67.
Seattle U would turn the ball over once more and Byron Ireland drove for the game-winner for Nicholls. Ireland had 19 points to lead all scorers and five Colonels in double-figures.
The Redhawks got double figures from six players, including Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, who finished one rebound shy of a double-double (12 points, nine rebounds). In just his second game back after missing the first 12 with a foot injury, Kobe Williamson had 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.
Up next for Seattle U is a trip to Riverside, Calif., to open Western Athletic Conference play at California Baptist. Tip off on Saturday, Jan. 4 is 5 p.m. at the Fowler Events Center.
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