While Seattle University struggled offensively, UC Santa Barbara enjoyed a good shooting night, as the Gauchos defeated the Redhawks, 87-46, Thursday night in a non-conference men’s collegiate basketball game at The Thunderdome.
Isiah Umipig (Federal Way, Wash.) led Seattle U with 10 points and three assists, while Manroop Clair (Vancouver, B.C.) scored seven points off the bench. As a team, the Redhawks shot just 32.1 percent (17-of-53) from the field, including 5-of-20 from behind the three-point line, and just 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from the free throw line.
After a dunk by William Powell (Huntsville, Ala.) tied the game at 2-2 two minutes into the contest, UC Santa Barbara went on a 12-1 scoring run, including two baskets by Alan Williams and three-pointers from Michael Bryson and Gabe Vincent. Umipig hit a three-pointer, and the Gauchos responded with a 21-6 scoring run, punctuated by three-pointers by Alex Hart and Zalmico Harmon.
UC Santa Barbara (4-3) held a 42-19 lead at halftime and continued to expand that advantage, going on an 8-2 run early in the second half and an 11-2 stretch later in the half that featured two three-pointers from Hunter Ford. For the game, the Gauchos shot 59.0 percent (36-of-61) from the field, including 12-of-22 from behind the three-point line, and made all three free throw attempts during the night.
Williams notched a double-double, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds along with three blocked shots, with Bryson finishing with 14 points. Vincent and John Green collected 11 points apiece as the Gauchos committed only seven turnovers and scored 19 points off 13 Redhawk turnovers.
Seattle University (3-4) returns to KeyArena Saturday, Dec. 6, to face Eastern Washington at 7 p.m., with Apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas and Massive Monkees performing at halftime. Tickets for that game, as well as all remaining Seattle U home games at KeyArena, are available through Ticketmaster and the KeyArena Box Office.