LAS VEGAS – Seattle University men’s basketball’s inaugural run in the Credit Union 1 West Coast Conference Championship came to an end Saturday night as the seventh-seeded Redhawks fell just short in a 61-58 loss to sixth seed Pacific in the tournament’s third round at the Orleans Arena.
The Redhawks (20-13) had chances late to force overtime. Brayden Maldonado knocked down a three-pointer with 1:30 remaining to cut the deficit to two, bringing Seattle U within 60-58.
Seattle U then had two opportunities in the final minute to tie. Will Heimbrodt missed a layup with 51 seconds left, and after the Redhawks secured the offensive rebound, Maldonado’s second-chance three with 37 seconds remaining missed.
Pacific (18-14) added a late free throw to push the margin to three with nine seconds left. Seattle U still managed one last look, but Maldonado’s potential game-tying three at the buzzer was off the mark, sealing the 61-58 final.
Seattle U controlled much of the early action and built its largest lead, 28-16, with 6:22 to play in the first half. But Pacific responded by closing out the frame on a 16-1 run to take a 32-29 lead into the break.
The Tigers created some breathing room midway through the second half with a 10-0 spurt that pushed the lead to 56-46 with just over six minutes remaining.
Seattle U answered with one final push. Junseok Yeo hit a three-pointer with just over four minutes left to cut the deficit and ignite the late comeback attempt.
Yeo finished with 16 points and seven rebounds to lead the Redhawks. Maldonado had 13 points and Heimbrodt added 12 with six rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Heimbrodt’s first block of the night, a rejection just 1:19 into the game, was his 80th of the season, making him Seattle U’s single-season block leader.
In a game defined by defense, neither team shot particularly well. Seattle U finished 17-for-50 (34 percent) from the field, while Pacific shot 38 percent.
The Tigers also held a 40-28 rebounding advantage and got 24 points from their bench compared to nine from the Redhawks’ reserves.
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