SEATTLE – Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe converted the go-ahead driving layup with four seconds to play and Abilene Christian's potential game-tying runner rimmed out as Seattle University men's basketball claimed a 66-64 win over the Wildcats Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
The game-winner capped the comeback victory for the Redhawks in their Western Athletic Conference home opener, moving Seattle U to 6-10 on the season and 1-1 in WAC play. Abilene Christian dropped to 8-9 overall and 0-2 in the WAC.
Moncrieffe collected his eighth double-double of the season, finishing with game highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds. John Christofilis and Paris Dawson joined Moncrieffe in double figures with 12 points each. Dawson added a game-high eight assists to his line.
Quion Williams paced the Wildcats with 16 points. Bradyn Hubbard had 13 points and Leonardo Bettiol chipped in 11.
The Wildcats were hot in the first half, hitting better than 64% from the field, including 4-of-9 from three, despite entering the game averaging 29% from deep. ACU added 24 points in the paint in the frame to lead Seattle U, 40-38 at the break.
The visitors kept the hot streak rolling to open the second half, hitting the first eight points before Moncrieffe converted a driving layup at the 17:09 mark.
A Williams jumper at the 12:12 mark gave ACU its largest lead of the night, 53-42.
Trailing by 11 with 10:37 to play, the Redhawks kick started a 15-0 run. Moncrieffe buried a pair of free throws before Dawson knocked down a three off an ACU turnover then found Kobe Williamson for a layup off another turnover to force an Abilene timeout.
Christofilis then hit the next eight points, knocking down back-to-back threes to give Seattle U its first lead since late in first half, then sinking a pair of free throws to make it 59-55 with 5:55 to play.
ACU would briefly steal the lead back, but Williamson converted the and-1 layup and free throw just inside two minutes to play and Seattle U would lead 64-62.
With 24 seconds remaining, ACU's full-court pressure led to a Seattle U turnover and Dontrez Williams game-tying layup before Moncrieffe knocked down the eventual game-winner.
FOR THE WIN?? pic.twitter.com/ax7CCgEKc2
— Seattle U Men's Basketball (@seattleumbb) January 12, 2025
Seattle U remains at home for its next two WAC games, beginning Thursday, Jan. 16 versus Utah Tech. Tip off from the Redhawk Center is set for 7 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.
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