'Hoops for Haiti' a successful fundraiser and Redhawk victory

With Saturday night's 76-72 victory over California State University - Bakersfield, the Seattle University men's basketball team improved its record to above .500 for the first time since mid-December. That win put the team's record at 15-14, the best record of any independent team in the country.

Head coach Cameron Dollar and the Redhawks put on a "Hoops for Haiti" benefit and asked Seattle U and its surrounding community to donate money in support of Catholic Relief Services in Haiti. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations totaled $3,663 with a then record-setting 4,756 spectators in attendance.

CSUB was first on the board, but after a close 12 minutes of play, the Redhawks started to pull away to take a 13 point lead—the largest lead of the game—at the half.

Coming in to the second half, the score was 40-27 but CSUB was again the first to score with a three-pointer. Seattle U was able to maintain at least a five point lead over the Roadrunners until there was 2:12 left on the clock.

Roadrunner Stephon Carter scored two consecutive lay-ups to bring Seattle U's lead down to three. The Redhawks were able to hold off the Roadrunners and forward Alex Jones secured the win with a putback with 16.5 seconds remaining in the game.

Jones led the Redhawks with 21 points and went 12 for 16 from the free throw line. He also hit his only three-point attempt. Though Jones has racked up some impressive stats over the past few games, Dollar said he would not start Jones at the Redhawks' final home game of the season.

"I like coming off the bench," Jones said. "Everyone else is tired."

Seattle U had 34 points in the paint and scored 42 points from the bench compared to 26 and 15, respectively, from CSUB.

Despite the win, Dollar felt the Roadrunners outworked his team.

"I've got to give credit to CSUB," Dollar said. "They competed and scrapped in a way we didn't. We were fortunate to come out with the win."

Dollar said CSUB beat his Redhawks on hustle and that there were times the Roadrunners fought for the ball while his players stood around watching.

Jones agreed with Dollar's sentiments after the game.

"We need to play a lot harder than we did tonight," Jones said of the remaining games of the season.

Taylor may be reached at sports@su-spectator.com