A strong defensive effort, control of the boards, significant contributions from the bench, and a spectacular scoring half by junior Isiah Umipig (Federal Way, Wash.) all led to Seattle University’s 71-57 victory over Utah Valley University, the leaders of the Western Athletic Conference coming into the night, Thursday in men’s collegiate basketball action at the UCCU Center.
Umipig scored 27 of his game-high 32 points in the second half, finishing 12-of-20 from the field, including 7-of-11 from behind the three-point line, plus he pulled down a season-high seven rebounds. That was part of a significant 42-25 rebounding advantage for the Redhawks, including 11 offensive boards that led to 15 second chance points. Also, the Seattle U bench outscored the Utah Valley reserves, 26-8.
“It was a tough and gritty defensive effort against one of the toughest teams in the conference,” Seattle U head basketball coach Cameron Dollar said. “Our bench did an excellent job giving us key contributions.”
The first eight-and-a-half minutes went back and forth, as the two teams traded baskets for eight lead changes. With the score tied at 12-12 halfway through the first half, Seattle U went on a 9-1 scoring run over the next three minutes, capped by a three-pointer from Emmanuel Chibuogwu (Shoreline, Wash.), to pull ahead, 21-13.
Utah Valley (14-9, 8-2 WAC) scored seven unanswered points through the final two minutes of the first half and the opening minute of the second half, with a layup by Ben Aird tying the contest at 29-29. Umipig took over, scoring 17 points over the next four-and-a-half minutes, featuring four three-pointers, one of which led to a four-point play, as the Redhawks took a 48-35 lead with 14:40 remaining in the second half.
The Wolverines closed their deficit over the next three minutes with a 10-3 scoring run thanks to two three-pointers by Zach Nelson and four points from Aird. After two minutes without any scoring, the Redhawks scored the next four points, but Utah Valley answered with an 11-5 run, capped by a traditional three-point play from Aird, to close to within four at 60-56 with four minutes left in regulation.
Seattle U’s defense clamped down, not allowing Utah Valley to make a field goal over the last four minutes while outscoring the Wolverines down the stretch 11-1. For the game, Utah Valley shot only 35.8 percent from the field (19-of-53), including 5-of-20 from behind the three-point line.
Shore Adenekan (London, England) led the bench with eight points and nine rebounds, while William Powell (Huntsville, Ala.) collected seven points and seven rebounds and D’Vonne Pickett Jr. (Seattle, Wash.) contributed six points and five assists. Hitting 14-of-25 second-half field goal attempts, the Redhawks finished the night shooting 47.3 percent from the field (26-of-55), including 10-of-19 from behind the three-point line. Seattle U also took care of the ball, tying its season low with just nine turnovers.
Seattle University (12-11, 4-6 WAC) heads to Bakersfield, Calif., to face the Roadrunners at Rabobank Arena Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. Dave Grosby and Gary Hill Jr. will broadcast the game live on 770 AM KTTH, starting with the pregame show shortly before tipoff.