ANCHORAGE – Senior forward Austen Powers scored 16 points and junior guard Chris Gweth tossed in 14 points Thursday night to lead Division I newcomer Seattle University to a 61-46 victory over Louisiana Tech in the first round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena.

Powers shot 6 of 9 from the field and grabbed three steals as the Redhawks (4-1) pulled away from a 22-22 halftime tie with a strong second-half performance. SU shot 58.3 percent (14 of 24) after the break.

Louisiana Tech (2-2) was led by 14 points, six rebounds and four assists from star guard Kyle Gibson, but the Bulldogs were held to just 34.1 percent shooting and committed 18 turnovers against only 10 assists.

Junior forward Mike Boxley had a strong all-around game with eight points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Redhawks, who are re-joining the D-I ranks for the first time since the 1979-80 season.

David Jackson was the only other Louisiana Tech player to reach double digits with 10 points.

Seattle advances to Friday’s 8 p.m. semifinal against the winner of Western Carolina and San Diego State, while the Bulldogs will face the loser of that game in the consolation semis at 2 p.m.