Led by a hot shooting performance, especially from Sterling Carter (Seattle, Wash.), Seattle University jumped out to a significant early advantage and cruised to a 111-74 victory over Longwood University Wednesday night in men's basketball action at KeyArena.
Carter went 8-for-16 from behind the three-point line, just one made three-pointer off the single-game school record, as he finished with 28 points, tying his career high. With the early advantage, Seattle U's bench players saw significant minutes, as Jarell Flora (Bremerton, Wash.) went 6-for-8 from the field in a 14-point performance, while Chad Rasmussen (University Place, Wash.) and Louis Green (Westchester, Ill.) each collected 10 points and five rebounds in the game.
Seattle U made eight of its first nine shots, four of them Carter three-pointers, as it raced out to a 20-2 lead three minutes into the game. After Tristan Carey hit a layup and a three-pointer as part of a 7-2 Lancer run, the Redhawks went on another 20-2 scoring run over the next five minutes to extend their advantage to 42-11 halfway through the first half.
"We jumped out pretty quick on them. We made them turn it over early, as we didn't let them get over the half-court line several times. The combination of the turnovers and the threes stretched it out pretty quick. When that happens, it's hard to come back," Seattle U head coach Cameron Dollar said.
A three-pointer by Antwan Carter only paused the Seattle U explosion, as the home team outscored Longwood 23-5 to take its biggest lead of the game at 65-19 with two minutes remaining before halftime. The Lancers scored the final four points of the first half and outscored the Redhawks in the second half, 51-46, but by that time the end result was in little doubt as Seattle U won its seventh straight home game.
Prince Obasi (Reseda, Calif.) contributed nine points, four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals off the bench, while Gavin Gilmore (Pasco, Wash.) also scored nine points and Allen Tate (Hobbs, N.M.) added three points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals to the winning effort. As a team, after shooting 60 percent (24-of-40) from the field in the first half, including 11-of-20 from behind the three-point line, Seattle U cooled off in the second half, but still finished with a field goal percentage of 51.2 percent (42-of-82), including 16-of-36 from behind the three-point arc.
None of the Redhawk starters played more than 20 minutes in the game. Aaron Broussard (Federal Way, Wash.) finished with eight points, as did Clarence Trent (Tacoma, Wash.). Eric Wallace (Winston-Salem, N.C.) earned six points and a team-high nine rebounds, and Cervante Burrell (Sacramento, Calif.) accumulated six points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals in the contest.
Longwood (10-21), playing its final game of the season, was led by Antwan Carter's 28 points and 21 points from Martiz Washington. Jan van der Kooij notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, but he also committed eight turnovers, five of them in the first half as Seattle U pressured the Lancer offense throughout the game.
Seattle U had not scored over 100 points in a home game since reaching 101 points against Saint Martin's in the 1996-97 season. The Redhawks won the rebounding battle, 56-41, and forced 22 Lancer turnovers that led to 30 Redhawk points.
Seattle University (11-15) will end the 2011-12 season next Saturday, March 10, against Portland State beginning at 7:10 p.m. at KeyArena. Before the game, seniors Broussard, Burrell, and Wallace will be recognized for their contributions to the Redhawk men's basketball program in Senior Night ceremonies.