The Seattle University men’s basketball team scored the first basket and never gave up the lead, earning its ninth straight victory with a 78-54 win over Cal State Bakersfield Monday night at Rabobank Arena.
Four players scored in double figures, led by Austen Powers (Glendale, Ariz.) with 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 shooting from the free throw line. Michael Wright (Lakewood, Wash.) notched his fifth double-double during the current winning streak, hitting 8-of-11 shots from the field for 16 points, plus he pulled down 12 rebounds.
Mike Boxley (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while Aaron Broussard (Federal Way, Wash.) came off the bench and added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. As a team, Seattle University shot 52.7 percent from the field (29-of-55) and won the rebounding battle, 35-31.
SeattleU jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes, and then went on a 17-2 run midway through the first half to extend the advantage to 30-10. Cal State Bakersfield was never in the game after that, shooting only 38.2 percent from the field, including 3-of-19 from behind the three-point line, and committing 16 turnovers.
"This team is playing as well together as any team I have had in eight years here at Seattle University," head coach Joe Callero said. "Multiple defenses have given us multiple chances to create turnovers throughout the season, and tonight that was coupled by the fact that we shot the ball well on offense. We are looking forward to more challenges on the road this season."
CSU Bakersfield (6-19) was led by Terrence Johns, who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. The team’s leading players were held at bay, as Trent Blakley and Santwon Latunde combined for only 12 points and five rebounds, far below their combined per game averages.
The nine-game winning streak is the longest for Seattle University in 24 years. During this current streak, SeattleU has won every game by at least 12 points and now has earned four road victories during this stretch. Seattle University’s nine wins over Division I opponents is the most of any team presently in Year One of the reclassification process.
Seattle University (17-6) will have a week to prepare for its next game, against Big Sky opponent Eastern Washington Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Cheney, Wash., beginning at 7:05 p.m. Dick Fain is scheduled to bring all the action from courtside to the Seattle area on KKNW 1150 AM.