Redhawks pull off big win at KeyArena on Senior Night

With a season high 4,876 in attendance, Seattle University men's basketball celebrated senior night by defeating Portland State University 93-80.

Mike Boxley, Chris Gweth and Taylor Olson were honored before tip-off for four solid years with the program, but they preferred to make the team their focus. The victory could not have been a better example of team play as the Redhawks improved from their 80-77 buzzer-beater win against the Spartans earlier this season.

"There is nothing more beautiful than coming together," said head coach Cameron Dollar.


Charles Garcia made his way back into the starting lineup, which featured the three seniors as well as sophomore Gavin Gilmore.

"He practiced well and you get what you earn," Dollar said.


With this lineup, the Redhawks looked antsy. Then guard Cervante Burrell entered the game on an early substitution and instantly made the team start clicking. Burrell opened his night scoring a three-pointer from the right corner.

"We came out like a house on fire, and sometimes it can be hard to sustain that," Dollar said.

But sustain they did. Forward Aaron Broussard then caught the vibes, pulling down two aggressive offensive rebounds in a row before going up hard and being fouled. Garcia fed off the attitude as well, first throwing down a slick two-handed jam and then following up a Gweth steal with a fast-break dunk that could only be described as ferocious. The "Air Jordan" inspired slam put Seattle U up 15-13, a lead they would not lose all game.


Junior Alex Jones, though with some amazing highlights, cooled off a bit from previous form with 10 points and two rebounds. He had a terrific block on a Portland State fast break, and then at the other end of the court he managed to back down Jamie Jones and draw a foul. His physical play has drastically improved over the season. Jones would later foul out. As it turned out, the Redhawks were fine in the paint anyway, scoring 46 of their points down low. Much of this was thanks to Garcia.


Garcia justified his return to the starting lineup with 20 points, 10 rebounds and a perfect six-for-six from the foul line. Garcia's double-double was accompanied by Burrell's 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Gweth went for 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Gweth also hit two three-pointers, tying him with Andre Lang at third on the Seattle U all-time career three-point field goals made list. Both have 150.


The win brings Seattle U to 16-14 on the season, making them the first team to have a winning record as a first-year Division I reclassifying team. Part of that is down to sheer dedication. Dollar believes his squad may have something in the locker-room big Pac-10 schools may not.


"In some ways it may be better. They appreciate it more and respect it more," Dollar said.
Gweth and Boxley agreed.


"We came in preseason and had four-a-days, sometimes even five-a-days," Gweth said. "It has always been a dream to play D-I basketball."


Boxley chimed in, "He [Dollar] is serious business. If you are not ready to be serious business then you are not going to make it."


The Redhawks certainly have made it, and now with one away game versus Utah State University, their thoughts are on a potential post-season tournament birth.

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