SEATTLE – (Dec. 19) Seattle U men's basketball started cold from the field and could never get a consistent flow going offensively as visiting Cal sent the Redhawks to their first home defeat of the season, 81-59, Tuesday night at KeyArena.
The Redhawks (8-6) opened the game 0-for-6, then hit five of their next six shots to take a 13-11 lead with 11:27 to go. But the scoring drought would return and the Redhawks would finish the half hitting just 31 percent from the field, including 4-of-16 from three.
Cal (6-6) started slow offensively as well, but finished the half hitting 45 percent from the field and hitting its first three of the night before the buzzer to take a 34-28 lead into the break.
Matej Kavas, who finished the first half with seven points, scored the Redhawks first seven of the second frame as Seattle U looked to get things going.
But the spurt would not last as a 13-0 Cal run opened up a 53-37 advantage with 10:58 to play and the Redhawks would never recover.
In the first half we really struggled offensively, but we were tough enough to stay in there," said Head Coach Jim Hayford. "But then we hit a point where our shots weren't falling, we let our guard down and the game got away from us."
Kavas finished with a game-high 20 points, hitting 7-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-9 from deep. Richaud Gittens had 11 points and six boards while Morgan Means chipped in 10 points off the bench.
Hampered with foul trouble early, Jordan Hill managed just two points while Josh Hearlihy was held scoreless for the first time this season.
"You have to give Cal and the Cal coaching staff credit for their defense," said Hayford. "They've made an adjustment in the past few games that's made their team a lot better."
Cal's Darius McNeill scored all of his team-high 20 points in the second half. Justice Sueing had 17 points and Don Coleman added 16 for the Bears who finished shooting 46.8 percent from the field.
Seattle U will look to regroup on Saturday, Dec 23 as its nine-game homestretch continues against Nicholls State. Tip-off from the Connolly Complex is set for 1 p.m. The game will stream live on the WAC Digital Network and can be heard live on KTTH 770 AM.
