GAME #11: For the third straight year, Seattle University takes part in the ShoWare College Classic at the ShoWare Center in Kent as a way to engage residents and alumni from the South Sound region who are interested in Redhawk basketball but cannot always make the trip to KeyArena. This time, Seattle U faces Norfolk State, a 2012 NCAA Tournament participant and the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season champion. After getting off to its best start as a Division I program in 42 years, the Redhawks’ final three non-conference games will challenge them heading into the conference schedule.
THE PACIFIC LUTHERAN GAME: The Redhawks were able to stifle Pacific Lutheran’s scoring chances on their way to a 66-38 victory over the Lutes Sunday afternoon at KeyArena at Seattle Center. Emerson Murray and Isiah Umipig each finished with 10 points, while Deshaun Sunderhaus and William Powell each earned eight points and nine rebounds during the game. The Redhawks pulled down 58 rebounds, including 20 offensive boards, and shot 43.8 percent from the field (28-of-64), but Seattle U committed 21 turnovers and made only 6-of-14 free throw attempts (42.9%). Brandon Lester and Terrell Williams led the Lutes with 10 points apiece, while Arvid Isaksen collected seven points and three assists. Pacific Lutheran finished the game shooting just 23.4 percent from the field (11-of-47) along with 27 rebounds and 20 turnovers.
STRONG START: Sunday’s victory over Pacific Lutheran extended Seattle U’s winning streak to four games, the longest winning streak for the Redhawks since a four-game winning streak Feb. 11-20, 2012. The 7-3 record is Seattle U’s best 10-game start as a Division I program since a similar 7-3 opening that featured a four-game winning streak in 1971-72. It is the best start for the Redhawks at any level since Seattle U went 8-2 over its first 10 games in 2007-08, its final season at the NCAA Division II level.
WAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: All-session tickets for the WAC Basketball Tournament March 12-15 are now available at (206) 398-GOSU.
SCOUTING NORFOLK STATE: The Spartans come into Thursday’s game with an 8-3 overall record after an 86-82 overtime victory at Boston University on Sunday. Norfolk State, the defending MEAC regular season champion, is 2-0 in conference play after victories over Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman. The Spartans are averaging 84.3 points per game (23rd in the country) and giving up 78.3 points per contest. As a team, Norfolk State is shooting 50.6 percent from the field (11th in Division I), including 35.1 percent from behind the three-point line, and 71.3 percent from the free throw line. Malcom Hawkins leads the team in scoring at 17.9 points per game, followed closely by Pendarvis Williams at 17.7 points per game. Williams is also averaging 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, plus he is shooting 55.7 percent from the field. Brandon Goode is contributing 11.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and he is shooting 61.1 percent from the field. This will be the first meeting all-time between Seattle University and Norfolk State.
MID-MAJOR TOP 25: Seattle University is starting to receive some recognition in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25, whose voting panel is made up of 31 head coaches from schools in "mid-major" conferences. In the latest poll released Monday, Dec. 16, the Redhawks received 10 votes, tied for 37th in the poll. Four of Seattle U’s next five opponents are either currently in the top 25 or receiving votes. Norfolk State, Thursday’s opponent at the ShoWare Center, is tied for 34th with 21 votes, while Nebraska Omaha is one of the other teams receiving 10 votes. UC Santa Barbara, Seattle U’s foe on Dec. 30 at KeyArena, is 17th in this week’s poll, and New Mexico State, hosting the Redhawks Jan. 9, is 19th in the current ranking.
TICKET INFORMATION: Thursday’s game is not part of the Seattle U season ticket package, so all fans must secure separate tickets for the game. For more information, contact the ShoWare Center Box Office at (253) 856-6999 or visit http://tickets.showarecenter.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=101. Tickets will also be available through the ShoWare Center box office, open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as starting one hour before the game Thursday night.