Behind a career scoring performance from Aaron Broussard (Federal Way, Wash.) and a season-high scoring output by Sterling Carter (Seattle, Wash.), Seattle University picked up a 91-78 victory over Eastern Washington Monday night at KeyArena.
Broussard shot 12-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-4 from behind the three-point line, and 7-of-11 from the free throw line to finish with 34 points, the second time this season he has scored over 30 points in a single game. Carter shot 9-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-6 from behind the three-point line, and 3-of-4 from the free throw line to score 26 points in the game.
Carter hit three three-pointers in the first four minutes of the game to help Seattle U run out to a 16-9 advantage, but Eastern Washington stayed within striking distance thanks to its own three-point shooting. Down 30-25 halfway through the first half, the Eagles went on a 13-4 scoring run, thanks in part to long distance baskets from Kevin Winford and Collin Chiverton, to pull ahead, 38-34.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Carter and Broussard allowed the Redhawks to go on an 8-0 scoring run late in the first half. The two teams traded baskets in the final two minutes of the first half, and Seattle U held a 48-44 lead at halftime.
Eastern Washington (9-10) took the lead early in the second half, 52-51, when Jordan Hickert and Jeffrey Forbes hit three-pointers. Seattle U took the lead for good by scoring eight unanswered points, punctuated by a three-pointer from Carter, although the Eagles pulled to within one when Chiverton notched a three-pointer and a traditional three-point play.
Ahead by just one halfway through the second half, Seattle U put the game away with a 19-3 scoring run, led by nine points from Broussard. The Redhawks posted a season-high shooting percentage, hitting 56.1 percent (32-of-57) of their field goal attempts, including 9-of-18 from behind the three-point line, plus Seattle U made more free throws (18) than Eastern Washington attempted (16).
The point guard play for Seattle U was solid, as Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, Calif.) finished with six points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals, and Prince Obasi (Reseda, Calif.) earned five points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Eric Wallace (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and T.J. Diop (Queensland, Australia) also pulled down seven rebounds apiece as the Redhawks dominated the boards, 45-26.
Chiverton led Eastern Washington with 26 points, while Cliff Colimon collected 15 points and five assists and Laron Griffin contributed 11 points and four rebounds. The Eagles shot 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the field, including 13-of-32 from behind the three-point line, and committed only 14 turnovers while forcing Seattle U into 17 turnovers.
Seattle University (4-12) concludes the three-game homestand Thursday, Jan. 19, against Utah State beginning at 7:10 p.m. at KeyArena.