SEATTLE – On a cold night in Seattle, the Seattle University men's basketball team was anything but, turning in their highest scoring output of the season in a wire-to-wire, 91-74, win over visiting Portland State Wednesday at Climate Pledge Arena.
The Redhawks (3-5) hit nearly 53% from the field, including 11-of-20 (55%) from three, and went 22-of-24 from the charity stripe on their way to the 17-point victory.
"It's always great to be back home," said Head Coach Chris Victor, whose Redhawks have played five if their first eight games away from Seattle. "We've also been struggling on offense the last few games, so coming out and putting up 90 felt really good.
"We've had good defensive games where we couldn't score, and we've had good offensive games where we couldn't get a stop. We've been working to get everything put together and tonight was the closest one yet."
Seattle U won the tip and John Christofilis buried a jumper on the opening possession. After trading buckets early, the Redhawks reeled off a 16-0 run to lead 22-7 at the 12:09 mark of the first half. The Vikings would go 0-of-10 from the field during the stretch, finally snapping the cold spell with a Qiant Myers layup.
The Vikings (4-4) cut the spread to as few as six in the first half before the Redhawks took a 40-32 advantage into the break.
The Redhawks continued to pour it on offensively in the second frame, paced by Christofilis, Paris Dawson and Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe. Christofilis broke out of a slump to finish with a game-high 22 points, including 4-6 from three.
Dawson, who played his first two collegiate seasons at Portland State, matched his career-high with 19 points in just 19 minutes, shooting 6-of-7 from the field. Moncreiffe added his fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 10 boards.
"For Paris to have a breakout game tonight against this team, I know it means a lot to him," said Victor of his senior guard. "And for us to get this win on his back, I'm really happy for him."
Myers paced the Vikings with 15 points while Isaiah Johnson added 13 and Shane Nowell had 11.
The Redhawks head back out on the road this weekend, traveling to El Paso, Texas, to face the UTEP Miners at the Don Haskins Center on Saturday, Dec. 7. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT, 1 p.m. Pacific.
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