A COMFORTABLE PLACE: Seattle University has won four of its last six games heading into the final stretch in which it will play at home in five of the final six contests. However, Tuesday's game will not be easy, as Northwest University was ranked eighth nationally in NAIA Division II last week and has lost just three games, two of them to the second-ranked team in NAIA D2. The Redhawks hope the Eagles don't break their hearts on Valentine's Day.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Seattle University
- Guard: #5 Cervante Burrell - 5-10, 170 - Sr.
- Guard: #10 Sterling Carter - 6-0, 200 - So.
- Forward: #2 Aaron Broussard - 6-5, 225 - Sr.
- Forward: #12 Clarence Trent - 6-6, 225 - So.
- Forward: #25 Eric Wallace - 6-7, 233 - Sr.
THE LONGWOOD GAME: Seattle University fought back twice from double-digit deficits in the second half to force overtime and, after falling behind in the overtime session, came back again, capped by a putback from senior Aaron Broussard with 1.2 seconds remaining, to defeat Longwood University, 100-99, Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville, Va. Longwood pulled ahead 97-93 with 45 seconds left in the overtime session with a jumper by Antwan Carter and two free throws from Tristan Carey. Broussard made two free throws to cut the Lancer lead in half, but Jan van der Kooij converted on two free throws to extend Longwood's advantage to 99-95 with 16 seconds left in the overtime period. Chad Rasmussen hit a three-pointer to cut the Lancer lead to one, and Seattle U forced Carey into a turnover, Longwood's 18th turnover after halftime. Clarence Trent missed a three-point attempt, but Eric Wallace grabbed the rebound. The ball somehow found its way to Broussard, who kissed the ball off the glass through the net to give Seattle U its first road victory since November. Broussard finished the game with 33 points, the third time he has scored more than 30 points this season, on 14-of-25 shooting from the field, plus he pulled down eight rebounds, dished out three assists, and earned two steals.
SCOUTING NORTHWEST: The Eagles come into Tuesday's game with a 24-3 overall record, with two of the losses coming to Oregon Tech, ranked second in NAIA Division II nationally. Northwest University is counting this as an exhibition game, similar to what they did in a 78-74 loss at Western Washington Nov. 26. The Eagles average 79.1 points per game and give up 65.7 points per contest. As a team, Northwest shoots 46.5 percent from the field, including 34.7 percent from behind the three-point line, and 70.7 percent from the free throw line. Four players are averaging double figures in scoring for the Eagles, led by Jordan Call with 14.1 points per game. Ahmaad Cook is scoring 12.8 points per game, followed by Rich Skillman at 11.5 points per game and Michael Greene with 11.4 points along with a team-high 7.3 rebounds per contest. Jason Waltman is contributing 9.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
SEATTLE U VS. NORTHWEST: Seattle U leads the series over Northwest University, 15-5, heading into Tuesday's contest. The series started in the 1987-88 season with Seattle U winning both games of the home-and-home series. Seattle U won the first 10 meetings between the two schools before Northwest (then known as Northwest College) broke through with two victories in the 1996-97 campaign. Northwest also swept the season series in 1998-99 before Seattle U responded with its own sweeps in 1999-2000 and in 2000-01. These two teams last met in 2001-02, with Northwest winning the meeting in Kirkland, 84-76, before Seattle U came out ahead at the Connolly Center, 70-51.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN: In less than two seasons, Sterling Carter has already moved into seventh place on Seattle U's all-time list for made three-pointers with 136. The next target for Carter is a tie for fifth with Mack Junior (1995-99) and Arne Klubberud (1995-99) having 144 career made three-pointers apiece. Also, in Saturday's game against Longwood, junior Chad Rasmussen set the school single-game record for attempted three-point shots with 17.
IT STARTS WITH AB: After passing the 1,000-point mark Nov. 22 at Montana State, senior Aaron Broussard is working his way up the Seattle U all-time scoring list. He currently has 1,359 career points, passing Lou West (1967-70) for 14th place on the list. Seattle U Athletic Hall of Famer Cal Bauer (1953-56) is next on the list in 13th place with 1,366 career points. Broussard also has 154 career steals, tied with Chris Gweth (2006-10) for third place on the all-time school steals list with 154 career steals. Broussard was named the Jesuit Player of the Week by the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight after his all-tournament performance in the Elgin Baylor Classic. He has also been named Independent Player of the Week by College Sports Madness four times this season, including Jan. 30 after finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds against UC Irvine Jan. 24. He was named Independent Player of the Month for January by College Hoops Net after averaging 20.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game in the first month of 2012.
INDEPENDENT PLAYER OF WEEK: For the fourth time this season, senior Aaron Broussard has been named Independent Player of the Week by College Sports Madness, announced Monday by the website. In road games at Idaho and at Longwood, Broussard averaged 26.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, shooting 21-of-42 from the field, including 7-of-17 from behind the three-point line, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. After a 20-point, nine-rebound effort at Idaho Feb. 7, Broussard scored 33 points, including the game-winning basket with 1.2 seconds left in overtime, to help the Redhawks defeat Longwood, 100-99.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Senior guard Cervante Burrell notched his second and third double-doubles of his career over the past week. At Idaho Feb. 7, Burrell collected 10 points and 11 assists, followed by a 14-point, 12-assist performance at Longwood Feb. 11. It was Burrell's steal and fast break layup at the end of regulation that completed Seattle U's second comeback of the day, this one forcing overtime.
BACK AT JIMMY'S: The Cameron Dollar Coaches Show returns to Jimmy's on Broadway Monday, Feb. 13, beginning at 9 p.m. Hosted by Dave Grosby and Gary Hill, Jr., the show features an interview with Coach Dollar along with highlights of previous games and a preview of upcoming contests.
NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS: Aaron Broussard moved up to 29th in Division I in scoring, now averaging 18.9 points per game. As a team, the Redhawks moved up to sixth in the country in rebounding, averaging 40.4 boards per contest.