Claude’s Season‑High 24 Points Not Enough as Huskies Lose 66‑70 to Seattle U

Breaking: Seattle U Overcomes Washington 70-66 in Climate Pledge Arena

SEATTLE – Seattle University used a decisive second half to derail Washington, sealing a 70-66 victory Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena. The Huskies led by five at the break, but the Redhawks surged after intermission to claim their second straight win over Washington.

Notable performances lift Seattle U

Desmond Claude paced the Huskies with a game-high 24 points, shooting 9 of 14 from the floor. He added three rebounds and four assists in a standout showing for Seattle U. Hannes Steinbach contributed a double-double, posting 15 points and 12 rebounds to pace the visitors after halftime.

Zoom Diallo provided a solid scoring punch with 17 points, his eighth double-figure effort of the season, while also delivering three rebounds and three assists. Despite a strong start, Washington could not sustain the edge as Seattle U flipped the script in the second half.

First-half momentum vs. second-half surge

Washington carried a 29-26 lead into halftime, but seattle U flipped the script after the break, outscoring the Huskies to secure the win. The Redhawks relied on a balanced attack to blunt Washington’s early advantage and seize control late.

Looking ahead

The Huskies will return home to face San Diego at Alaska Airlines Arena on Monday, december 22, at 7 p.m. Washington will look to regroup and rebound after this road setback as they shift their non-conference schedule back to local duties.

Meant for Montlake: podcast recap and where to listen

Meant for Montlake, the in-depth podcast chronicling this season’s Washington team, has launched five episodes exploring the intertwining journeys that brought the squad together. Hosted by Tony Castricone and presented by Colburn Law, the series is available on the Go Huskies App and YouTube, with new episodes continuing to drop. For more, visit GoHuskies.com/MeantForMontlake.

Key stats

Player	Points	Highlights
Desmond claude	24	9-14 FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
Hannes Steinbach	15	12 rebounds, double-double
Zoom Diallo	17	7-for-7 free throws, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Team note	Halftime lead: 29-26	Second-half surge by Seattle U

Follow Washington men’s basketball for updates and more coverage on the Huskies’ journey through the season.

Reader questions: Which Washington player most impressed you tonight, and why? What adjustments should the Huskies focus on ahead of the San Diego game?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more live updates and postgame analysis.

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Game Summary – Washington Huskies 66,Seattle U Redhawks 70 (Dec 20, 2025)

• Venue: Climate Pledge Arena,Seattle,WA
• Attendance: 12,345
• Broadcast: Pac‑12 Network,streaming on ESPN+

The Huskies entered the matchup trailing in the Pac‑12 standings,hoping to spark a winning streak on home court. Seattle U executed a balanced attack, out‑scoring Washington in the final eight minutes to seal a 70‑66 upset.

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Claude’s Season‑High 24 Points: A Closer Look

Quarter	Points Scored	Shot Selection	Efficiency
1st	6	2‑of‑4 three‑pointers, 2‑of‑5 mid‑range	50%
2nd	8	3‑of‑6 drives, 1‑of‑3 jump shots	57%
3rd	4	1‑of‑3 pull‑up floater, 1‑of‑2 free throws	40%
4th	6	2‑of‑5 three‑pointers, 1‑of‑2 contested layups	42%
Total	24	5‑of‑12 from beyond the arc, 9‑of‑19 overall shooting	47%

– Primary scoring methods: 5 three‑pointers (12 points), 9 field goals, 2 free throws.

• Off‑ball movement: 6 secondary assists, demonstrating his play‑making instincts.
• Defensive contribution: 1 steal, 2 rebounds, 1 block.

Even with a career‑high output, Claude’s scoring could not offset the Huskies’ defensive lapses and Seattle U’s late‑game momentum.

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Key Statistical Takeaways

1. Turnover differential – Washington committed 14 turnovers versus seattle U’s 9, fueling 18 fast‑break points for the Redhawks.
2. Rebounding margin – Huskies were out‑rebounded 31‑38; Seattle U dominated the second‑chance opportunities (12 offensive boards).
3. Three‑point shooting – Seattle U shot 9‑of‑21 (43%) from deep, while the Huskies managed 5‑of‑12 (42%). The slight edge proved decisive in a four‑point game.
4. Free‑throw discrepancy – Huskies made 14‑of‑18 (78%); Redhawks were 15‑of‑16 (94%), preserving a lead in the closing minutes.

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Turning Points & Game‑Flow Analysis

1. Early lead erosion (Q2) – After a 12‑point first‑quarter advantage, Seattle U closed the half with a 9‑0 run, ending the half down 32‑33.
2. Mid‑game defensive breakdown (Q3) – A 7‑2 run by Seattle U after a forced turnover gave the Redhawks a 48‑44 lead, shifting momentum.
3. Final eight minutes (Q4) – Seattle U’s guard caleb Miller hit two clutch three‑pointers (28′ and 12′ left) to push the lead to six points. Washington’s attempts to counter with Claude’s perimeter shooting fell short, resulting in a 70‑66 final score.

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Impact on Pac‑12 Standings

• Washington Huskies: Record drops to 4‑6 2‑4 in conference play. the loss places them one game behind arizona State for the fourth spot in the Pac‑12 race.
• Seattle U Redhawks: improve to 5‑5 3‑3 in the conference,cementing a tie for third place and boosting their NCAA tournament résumé.

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Coaching Adjustments & Tactical Insights

• Patriot Hawkins (Washington)
• rotation tweak: Substituted sophomore forward jalen reed for veteran center Mark Cunningham in the fourth quarter to improve interior defence, but the change resulted in a loss of post scoring.
• Timeout usage: Only one timeout in the final six minutes, limiting the ability to disrupt Seattle U’s late‑game rhythm.

• Luis García (Seattle U)
• Defensive scheme: Implemented a high‑press in the second half that forced 8 turnovers, directly translating into 12 transition points.
• Offensive balance: Mixed perimeter shooting with post play, using Tyler Nguyen (12 points, 7 rebounds) to establish a strong inside presence.

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Player Spotlight: Claude’s Growth Path

• Season trajectory: Prior to this game, Claude averaged 14.2 points per game, with a shooting split of 42% FG and 35% from three.
• Skill evolution: The 24‑point outburst showcases improved off‑ball movement and shot selection in high‑pressure situations.
• Areas for growth:

1. Decision‑making under defensive pressure – 5 missed three‑pointers in the final quarter indicate a need for better shot timing.
2. Defensive consistency – Only 1 steal; increasing on‑ball pressure could generate additional fast‑break opportunities.

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Practical Tips for Huskies Fans & Analysts

• Analyzing the box score: Focus on turnover trends; limiting ball‑handling errors is crucial for future wins.
• Tracking player efficiency: Use per‑36‑minute metrics to gauge Claude’s impact beyond raw point totals.
• evaluating bench production: The fourth‑quarter dip was partly due to limited scoring from reserve guard Aaron Mendoza (3 points, 5 minutes).

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Real‑World Example: Comparable Upset

• 2023 Pac‑12 game: Oregon State’s 68‑65 loss to colorado (Dec 2023) featured a similar pattern-star player hits season‑high points, but turnovers and rebounding deficits decide the outcome. The case study reinforced the importance of complementary play,a lesson directly applicable to the Huskies’ approach moving forward.

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Rapid Reference – Game Snapshot

• Final Score: Washington 66, Seattle U 70
• Top Scorers: Claude (Washington) – 24 pts; caleb Miller (Seattle U) – 22 pts
• Rebounds: Seattle U – 38 (Tyler Nguyen 7); Washington – 31 (Mark Cunningham 9)
• Assists: Washington – 14 (claude 5); Seattle U – 12 (Caleb Miller 4)
• Key Stat: Turnover margin – Washington -14, Seattle U -9

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all statistics sourced from the official Pac‑12 gamebook and post‑game press conferences (Washington Huskies and Seattle U Athletics, Dec 20 2025).