GAME #13: Seattle University looks to shake off any rust after a week without competition, hosting UC Santa Barbara in the Redhawks’ final non-conference regular season game of the season. Seattle U is 5-0 against Big West schools heading into Monday’s contest against the Gauchos, but UCSB currently has the second-best overall record among Big West schools and will look to snap the Redhawks’ five-game home winning streak.
THE NEBRASKA OMAHA GAME: Despite a career-high scoring performance by junior guard Isiah Umipig, Seattle University was unable to overcome its own turnovers and Nebraska Omaha’s solid second-half shooting from both the field and the free throw line, as the Mavericks held off the Redhawks, 76-69, on Dec. 22 at Ralston Arena in Omaha, Neb. Umipig scored 35 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field, including 6-of-11 from behind the three-point line, and 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Umipig hit three three-pointers to give Seattle U a 43-42 advantage halfway through the second half, but Mike Rostampour hit his own long distance shot with seven minutes to go to cap a 6-0 Maverick run. Nebraska Omaha extended its lead to 13 points at 64-51 thanks to a 14-4 scoring run over a three-minute span, helped by Devin Patterson making all 10 of his free throw attempts. The Redhawks did not quit, outscoring UNO 14-3 over the next minute to pull to within two at 67-65, with Umipig capping off the run with a three-pointer. However, the Mavericks were able to hold off the rally by going 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final minute, snapping Seattle U’s five-game winning streak. Clarence Trent also reached double figures in scoring with 10 points to go along with five rebounds, while Deshaun Sunderhaus contributed seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocked shots. The Redhawks enjoyed a 39-28 rebounding advantage, but committed 24 turnovers that led to 29 Maverick points.
SCOUTING UC SANTA BARBARA: The Gauchos come into Monday’s game with a 7-4 overall record after winning two of three games in the Basketball Travelers Tournament Dec. 19-21 in Logan, Utah. UCSB defeated Troy (57-54) and Western Illinois (61-55) while losing to host school Utah State in overtime (77-71). UC Santa Barbara is scoring 71.5 points per game and is giving up 66.1 points per contest. As a team, the Gauchos are shooting 47.9 percent from the field, including 39.6 percent from behind the three-point line, and 69.2 percent from the free throw line. Alan Williams is averaging a double-double for the Gauchos with 23.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. As of Dec. 26, he is eighth in Division I in scoring and seventh in the country in rebounding, plus he is shooting 55.8 percent from the field. Kyle Boswell and Michael Bryson are each contributing 11.8 points per game.
SERIES HISTORY: This is the eighth meeting all-time between Seattle University and UC Santa Barbara, with Seattle U holding a 5-2 series advantage. The two teams played each other every season from 1963-64 through 1967-68, with Seattle U winning all five meetings. UC Santa Barbara earned its first victory over Seattle U at home during the 1969-70 campaign, a 105-98 victory. These teams last met each other in the 1977-78 season on the first day of the UNLV Classic in Las Vegas, with UCSB earning the 58-55 victory.
RETURN OF COACH’S SHOW: The Cameron Dollar Coach’s Show returns to 13 Coins and 770 AM KTTH Monday, Jan. 6, and will continue every Monday through the end of the season. The show is taped at 13 Coins from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for broadcast on 770 AM KTTH later Monday night from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. All Seattle U basketball fans are invited to the Night Owl Lounge within the 13 Coins location at 125 Boren Avenue North to watch the live taping.
COURTSIDE CLUB LUNCHEON: Just over 30 hours before the opening of the Western Athletic Conference schedule, fans of Seattle University men’s basketball will have the opportunity to hear from head coach Cameron Dollar at the third Courtside Club Luncheon of 2013-14, set for Friday, Jan. 3, at FX McRory’s in the Pioneer Square section of the city. Also, attendees will see Jesse Jones, consumer advocate for KING 5, as he has agreed to be the special guest speaker at FX McRory’s. Jones, host of the popular “Get Jesse” segment on the KING 5 newscasts, joined the station in November 2005 as a reporter and member of the KING 5 Investigators team. A graduate of Montana State University, Jones started his reporting career in Seattle and moved on to stations in Baltimore and Cincinnati before returning to the Emerald City. Dollar will give attendees a wrap-up of the non-conference season, which will have concluded with a home game against UC Santa Barbara Monday, Dec. 30. He will also look ahead to the WAC slate of games, starting with the conference opener the next night against UMKC at KeyArena at Seattle Center. The cost of the luncheon, which is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m., is $30. Registration is available at GoSeattleU.com. For more information about the upcoming Courtside Club Luncheon, contact Greg Sempadian at (206) 398-4420 or sempadig@seattleu.edu.