GAMES #15 & #16: Seattle University looks to snap a three-game losing streak as it hits the road for the first time in the conference season. The Redhawks head to Las Cruces, N.M., for a contest against the New Mexico State Aggies, the preseason favorite to win the Western Athletic Conference this season. Seattle U and New Mexico State played two close games against each other last season, but the Redhawks are hoping for a different ending after the Aggies took both games last year. Seattle U then faces WAC newcomer UT Pan American in Edinburg, Texas, Saturday evening.
THE KANSAS CITY GAME: The Kansas City Kangaroos were able to hit their shots throughout the night to establish a double-digit lead, and the efforts by Seattle University to come back fell short as the Redhawks lost to the ‘Roos, 95-84, Saturday night in the Western Athletic Conference men’s basketball opener for Seattle U at KeyArena. In the first three minutes of the second half, Kansas City scored nine unanswered points, five of them coming from Martez Harrison, to extend its advantage to 53-33. Down by 22 six minutes into the second half, the Redhawks rattled off seven straight points, punctuated by a Isiah Umipig three-pointer, to close their deficit to 15 at 64-49. After the Kangaroos extended their lead back to 20 at 69-49, the Redhawks used pressure defense to close the gap to six over a four-minute span, outscoring UMKC 18-4 thanks in part to six points apiece by Umipig and Emerson Murray. The Kangaroos did not allow Seattle U to get any closer by hitting their free throws, going 18-for-21 in the final four minutes to pull out the victory. Umipig once again led Seattle U with 24 points and four steals, while Clarence Trent finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals. D’Vonne Pickett Jr. came off the bench in the second half and collected 11 points and three assists, and Murray notched his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, plus he dished out a team-high six assists and blocked a shot.
WAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: All-session tickets for the WAC Basketball Tournament March 12-15 at the Orleans Arena are now available at (206) 398-GOSU.