Redhawks lose 87-85 in close game against Idaho

The Seattle University men's basketball team moved to 9-13 for the season after Saturday's dramatic 87-85 defeat at the hands of the University of Idaho Vandals.

The loss to the Vandals marked the first time the two teams had played since 1993, and it was the fourth win in a row in the series. The last time the two had played in Seattle was in the 1968-69 season; Seattle U won.

Seattle U took charge during the first half, playing with the same intensity on display during the end of the midweek contest with University of Washington. Tenacious defense and some forced turnovers even had the Redhawks leading by 12 with 7:39 to play in the first half. The lead would be cut down to four by the end of the half, as the Vandals got hot from the three-point line, where they shot 57.1 percent for the night.

With 14:22 left in the game Garcia caught the ball just outside the three line, put his shoulder down, drove the lane and hit a 10-foot jumper while being fouled. He then hit the free throw, capping off the play. Garcia led the Redhawks with 23 points and seven rebounds.

The rest of the second half was spent with the Vandals shooting the lights out. The Vandals were 16 for 25 during the second half, a field goal percentage of 64 percent, considerably higher than the Vandal season average of 46.6 percent. The Redhawks shot 40 percent from the field in comparison.

Senior point guard Taylor Olson did his best to give the fans an intense finish, hitting a three-pointer with only four seconds on the clock. The Redhawks then fouled on the inbound, where the Vandals went one for two from the line, leaving the score at 87-85 Idaho. Seattle U inbounded to junior power forward Charles Garcia, who did not have time to attempt a shot with .7 seconds left on the clock.

Dillon may be reached at dgilbert@su-spectator.com.