Nov. 19, 2009
Box Score
Photo Gallery
Seattle (AP) - Paul George and Greg Smith each recorded double-doubles with 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Seattle University Redhawks frantically clipped Fresno State 85-84 on Thursday night in KeyArena.
"I thought Greg played very well tonight," head coach Steve Cleveland said. "We played with a much better sense of urgency in the second half and put ourselves in position to win the game."
The tale of two halves saw the Bulldogs go on an 18-4 over a five-minute span midway through the second half. The Dogs shot 60 percent from the field and season-best 88.2 percent from the charity stripe in the second session.
Smith's 24 points came on 10 of 13 shooting from the field, to up his season tally to 19 of 22 shooting through his first three games as a Bulldog. He also hit four free throws with a much improved stroke.
George, who painfully fouled out with under 4:49 left, notched his second double-double of the season and eighth of his 37-game Bulldog career. Two other Bulldogs reached double figures in scoring as senior forward Sylvester Seay netted 15 points and sophomore JC transfer point guard Steven Shepp tallied a season-best 13 points and eight assists.
Yet, the Redhawks' added inspiration of honoring Elgin Baylor, a former NBA and Seattle U legend, proved to be too much to overcome. Cervante' Burrell scored on a baseline reverse with 8.3 seconds left, then came up with a steal on the final Fresno State possession, and Seattle U capped a rally from down 81-75 with 1:40 left to win their first game in KeyArena.
Seattle took an 83-82 lead on Garrett Lever's follow of Aaron Broussard's miss with 37.6 seconds left, Lever's only basket of the game. Fresno State's Greg Smith responded with a layup at the other end with 24 seconds left.
On the Redhawks' final possession, Chris Gweth drove into the lane and found Burrell cutting baseline to give Seattle the lead. Fresno State had one last chance but
Steven Shepp was stripped by Burrell who dribbled up court before throwing the ball up toward the giant scoreboard above midcourt as the buzzer sounded.
"We Are Your Team" - Former WAC member San Diego State will be in town to challenge your Fresno State Men's Basketball team on Monday, November 23, at 7 p.m. "Monday Madness" will be taking place - buy one upper bowl ticket, get one free! Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through ticketmaster.com.
