San Jose State put together a 10-0 run late in the second half to defeat Seattle University, 84-74, and win the 2011 Elgin Baylor Classic Friday night at KeyArena.
After Aaron Broussard (Federal Way, Wash.) converted on a layup with 8:43 remaining in the second half to complete an 8-1 Redhawk run that tied the game at 50-50, the Spartans put together their run, capped off by a three-pointer, a steal, and a jumper by James Kinney. Seattle U increased the defensive pressure over the final five minutes, but was only able to get as close as seven points back as San Jose State made enough free throws to hold off the comeback.
Broussard finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two steals, earning All-Tournament honors after scoring 31 points against Nebraska Omaha the night before. Clarence Trent (Tacoma, Wash.) finished with 15 points and nine rebounds, tied with Eric Wallace (Winston-Salem, N.C.) for the team lead in rebounding. Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, Calif.) contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and five assists off the bench.
Both teams got off to a slow start, as a three-pointer by Calvin Douglas six minutes into the game gave San Jose State a 9-3 lead. Seattle U scored 11 unanswered points over the next five minutes, punctuated by a three-pointer by Chad Rasmussen (University Place, Wash.), to pull ahead, 14-9, but San Jose State went on its own 12-4 run over a five-minute span to retake the lead heading into halftime, 27-24.
For San Jose State (6-8), Kinney scored a career-high 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting from the field, including six made three-pointers, plus he collected six rebounds, two assists, and four steals to earn All-Tournament recognition. Keith Shamburger was named MVP of the Elgin Baylor Classic after another steady performance, finishing with 16 points, four rebounds, and seven assists without committing a turnover.
In the first game of Friday's doubleheader, Coppin State defeated Nebraska Omaha, 93-83, as five players scored in double figures for the Eagles. Akeem Ellis of Coppin State finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists and was named to the All-Tournament Team. UNO's Mitch Albers was also named to the All-Tournament Team after scoring 24 points to lead the Mavericks.
Seattle University (3-9) will travel to Orem, Utah, to face the Utah Valley Wolverines next Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. local time (6 p.m. Pacific time), followed by the crosstown rivalry game against the Washington Huskies Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. at Alaska Airlines Arena.