Feb. 28, 2008

Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. - Guard Chris Gweth had a game-high 18 points to lead five players in double-figure scoring as Seattle University defeated Western Washington University, 73-56, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball game Thursday at Connolly Center.

The Vikings, who have lost five of their last six games, dropped to 13-11 overall and 6-9 in league play. They were led by the 17 points of guard Ira Graham (Jr., Fontana, CA), 12 in the second half.

Seattle, which has won eight of its last 10 games, improved to 17-8 overall and 10-6 in GNAC action. The defending league co-champion Redhawks, who are moving up to the NCAA Division I ranks next season, also got 15 points from Ryan Coldren. Michael Wright scored 12 points and Mike Boxley and Ricky Berry each had 10.

Trailing by 20 points at halftime, Western cut the deficit to nine, 49-40, with a 21-10 run over the first eight minutes of the second half, Graham and Derrick Webb (Jr., Port Orchard/South Kitsap) each having eight points.

But Boxley scored the next four points for Seattle to begin a 14-4 run that put the Redhawks ahead by 19, 63-44, with 6:19 left. Western never got closer than 13 after that.

Seattle began the game by making eight of its first 11 shots, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, going out to a 19-7 lead over the first seven minutes. Later in the period, the Redhawks began a 14-2 run with 10 straight points for their biggest lead of 22, 39-17, with 2:01 left and led 39-19 at halftime.

Seattle shot 61.5 percent (16-of-26) from the field in the first half, while Western made just 7-of-19 (36.8 percent). The Vikings finished at 48.8 percent (21-of-43) and the Redhawks at 54.0 percent (27-of-50).

Forward Calin Schell (Jr., Chelan) finished with 12 points for Western and Webb had 10.

It was just the Vikings' second loss in the last 11 series meetings with Seattle.

Western travels to Montana State University Billings on Saturday (7 p.m.) for a GNAC counter.