CALIFORNIA DREAMING: Although the weather in Seattle has resembled June more than January, the Redhawks still welcome this weekend’s trip to California to face the Bakersfield Roadrunners. After seeing their three-game winning streak snapped last Saturday, the Redhawks look to start a new winning stretch before playing five of their next seven games at KeyArena.
SCOUTING BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners enter Saturday’s game with a 7-14 overall record after defeating San Diego Christian at home Tuesday night, 79-54. Within the WAC, Bakersfield is 2-3, coming off a 57-41 victory at Chicago State last Saturday. The Roadrunners have won three of their last four games and are 6-4 after starting the year 1-10, including a victory at Pac-12 school California on Dec. 28. Bakersfield is scoring 62.6 points per game and giving up 60.7 points per contest. As a team, the Roadrunners are shooting 40.9 percent from the field, including 32.0 percent from behind the three-point line, and 72.8 percent from the free throw line. A balanced scoring attack is led by Aly Ahmed, who is averaging 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as he is shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the free throw line. Kevin Mays, the only player to start every game so far this season for Bakersfield, is contributing 8.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
SEATTLE U VS. BAKERSFIELD: Seattle U and Bakersfield will face off for the 11th time in the two teams’ histories, with Bakersfield holding a 6-4 series advantage. Bakersfield won the first three meetings before Seattle U picked up four straight wins between 2005 and 2011. Bakersfield defeated Seattle U in overtime at the ShoWare Center in Kent on March 6, 2013, 75-74, thanks to a game-winning jumper by Stephon Carter with three seconds remaining in overtime. Last season, Bakersfield swept Seattle U, starting with a 61-57 victory at KeyArena on Jan. 16. Isiah Umipig scored 21 points to lead the Redhawks, while Issiah Grayson led the Roadrunners with 15 points. On Feb. 15 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, the Roadrunners completed the sweep with an 83-65 victory. Umipig finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Five players scored in double figures for Bakersfield, led by Grayson with 22 points and six assists.