LAS VEGAS – A back-and-forth battle for the Resorts World Classic title came down to the final seconds Saturday afternoon, but Seattle University’s late push wasn’t enough as the Redhawks men’s basketball team fell 74–71 to UC Santa Barbara in the championship matchup.
Seattle U (5-2) shot better than 50% from the field for the fourth time this season, but free throw shooting and rebounding would be the Achilles heel in the second loss of the season.
Will Heimbrodt led the way with a game-high 20 points on 9-for-10 shooting, scoring 16 of those after halftime as he powered a second-half surge that nearly flipped the outcome. Heimbrodt added three blocks, three steals, two rebounds and two assists to his line. Junseok Yeo added 18 points and six rebounds, knocking down two threes and generating momentum early in the second half when the Redhawks stormed ahead 40-36 – capping a 10-0 swing that turned a halftime deficit into a four-point lead.
Brayden Maldonado joined the duo in double figures with 11 points, including clutch free throws and a late driving finish that kept Seattle U within striking distance in the closing minutes.
Despite holding a seven-point lead with 15:47 remaining, the Redhawks saw the Gauchos respond with timely shooting from deep and critical free-throw conversion. UCSB hit eight three-pointers to Seattle U’s three and finished 22-for-25 from the line. The Redhawks managed just 14-of-22 from the charity stripe while also surrendering a 33-18 rebounding edge, including 13 offensive boards for 14 UCSB second-chance points.
UC Santa Barbara’s Zion Sensley matched Seattle U’s scoring punch with 20 points including four threes, while Miro Little posted 12 points and six assists and knocked down key free throws late.
In the final minute, Heimbrodt scored twice inside to pull Seattle U within three, but UCSB converted at the stripe to hold the edge. A last-second layup narrowed it back to one possession before time expired.
The Redhawks return to Seattle for their next three, including a Dec. 3 meeting with Puget Sound, a Dec. 7 meeting with UTEP at Climate Pledge Arena and a Dec. 13 contest against Warner Pacific. Tickets for all Seattle U games can be purchased online at goseattleu.com/tickets or by calling 206-398-GOSU.
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