GAME #28: Seattle University concludes the 2013-14 regular season with a road trip to the Midwest, facing one team it has not seen in two months and another it saw just last week. The first stop is Kansas City for a contest against the Kangaroos, the team the Redhawks opened conference play against this season. Coming off a victory over Idaho last Saturday, Seattle U looks to maintain the positive momentum as it heads to the WAC Basketball Tournament next week.
THE IDAHO GAME: The backcourt play of Isiah Umipig and D’Vonne Pickett Jr. led the Seattle University men’s basketball team to a 76-68 victory over Idaho last Saturday night at KeyArena. Umipig scored a career-high 36 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field, including 8-of-18 from behind the three-point line, and 4-of-4 shooting from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Pickett collected 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals as he played on Elgin Baylor Court for the final time as a collegian. Idaho pulled ahead by six early in the second half on a jumper by Connor Hill, but the Redhawks started their comeback with a three-pointer from Umipig. Emmanuel Chibuogwu converted on a traditional three-point play, and then Umipig hit another three-pointer to tie the game at 45-45. Hill answered with his own three-pointer, but a layup by Jarell Flora (Bremerton, Wash.) and consecutive jumpers from Umipig put the Redhawks on top, 51-48. After the Vandals tied the game at 53-53 halfway through the second half, Seattle U took the lead for good on consecutive baskets by Pickett, as well as another three-pointer by Umipig. Stephen Madison scored six straight Idaho points to keep the Vandals within one possession at 65-62 with 3:34 remaining in regulation, but the Redhawks put the game away with seven unanswered points over the next two minutes, starting with a layup by Pickett and culminating with five straight points from Umipig.
WAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: All-session tickets for the WAC Basketball Tournament March 12-15 at the Orleans Arena are still available at (206) 398-GOSU.
SCOUTING UMKC: The Kangaroos come into Thursday’s game with a 9-18 overall record, but a 6-8 record within the conference that puts the team in fifth place in the league standings. UMKC has won two straight games with victories over first place Utah Valley (74-56) and at third place Grand Canyon (85-80). The Kangaroos are scoring 68.6 points per game and giving up 76.4 points per contest. As a team, UMKC is shooting 42.5 percent from the field, including 29.6 percent from behind the three-point line, and 63.3 percent from the free throw line. Martez Harrison leads the team with 17.2 points and 3.6 assists per game. Nelson Kirksey is averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and Trinity Hall is contributing 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN, PART ONE: As a team, Seattle University has made 198 three-pointers in 587 attempts, second all-time in school history in both categories behind the 2001-02 season (215-for-618).
FROM WAY DOWNTOWN, PART TWO: Isiah Umipig became Seattle U’s single-season record holder for made three-pointers, hitting his 90th of 2013-14 with 1:25 left in the first overtime period Feb. 27 against Chicago State. The previous record was 89 made three-pointers, set by Aaron Waite in the 1989-90 season. After tying his career high with eight three-pointers Saturday against Idaho, Umipig now has 98 made three-pointers, fifth in the country in three-pointers per game (3.63).
MEN’S BASKETBALL BANQUET: The Seattle University men’s basketball banquet will take place Monday, March 10, in the lower level banquet room of the Space Needle. A reception will begin the evening at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m. The cost of attending the banquet is $60.00. Online registration is available by going to www.goseattleu.com/special-events. For more information, contact Jo Anne Hume (humej@seattleu.edu or (206) 220-8579) or John Dougherty (dougherj@seattleu.edu or (206) 296-2829).