GAME #10: With finals behind them, the players on the Seattle University men’s basketball team are eager to get back on the court and finish out the non-conference schedule with four games remaining in December. That stretch starts Sunday afternoon with a home contest against Pacific Lutheran at KeyArena. The Redhawks bring a three-game overall winning streak as well as a four-game home winning streak into Sunday’s contest. With a victory, Seattle U will produce the best 10-game start to a season as a Division I program since the 1971-72 campaign.
THE CAL STATE FULLERTON GAME: Thanks to its best field goal shooting night in four seasons, Seattle University swept its California weekend road trip as well as the season series over Cal State Fullerton, defeating the Titans 74-65 last Saturday night in men’s collegiate basketball action at Titan Gym. Isiah Umipig shot 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-5 from behind the three-point line, and 4-of-5 from the free throw line to lead the Redhawks with 20 points and four assists, while Deshaun Sunderhaus used an 8-of-9 field goal shooting performance to finish with 17 points along with seven rebounds, and Jarell Flora added 15 points thanks in part to four first half three-pointers. Clarence Trent once again contributed to the victory in different ways, finishing with seven points, five rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots. Seattle U dished out 18 assists as a team while committing only 12 turnovers. The Redhawks shot 61.9 percent from the field (26-of-42), the best shooting night for Seattle U since a 61 percent effort against Sacramento State Feb. 13, 2010. It is also the first time Seattle U has won consecutive road games since picking up victories at Northern Illinois (60-48) Feb. 19, 2011, and at CSU Bakersfield (73-54) one week later on Feb. 26, 2011.
HOLIDAY HOOPLA: Fans are encouraged to come to KeyArena early, as holiday-themed activities will start on the KeyArena concourse at 1 p.m. There will be carolers located throughout the arena, and fans will have a chance to have a photo taken with Santa Claus.
SCOUTING PACIFIC LUTHERAN: The Lutes are currently 3-2 in the 2013-14 season, but have not played a game since Nov. 30. Pacific Lutheran will host Saint Martin’s Saturday night before making the short trip north to face the Redhawks Sunday afternoon. Pacific Lutheran is averaging 73.0 points per game and giving up 69.2 points per contest. As a team, the Lutes are shooting 46.4 percent from the field, including 39.5 percent from behind the three-point line, and 62.8 percent from the free throw line. Arvid Isaksen leads the Lutes with 11.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while Bryce Miller is contributing 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Brandon Lester leads the team with 15 assists to go along with 8.2 points per game.