AN HONEST EFFORT: Seattle University will spend Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in Las Cruces, N.M., taking on current WAC leader New Mexico State. The Redhawks are the only WAC team to defeat the Aggies so far this season, and they will be looking for their first-ever victory in Las Cruces.
THE UTAH VALLEY GAME: Seattle University put the clamps on the Utah Valley offense Saturday night, allowing the Wolverines to hit just 27.3 percent of their field goal attempts, missing all of their three-point attempts, as the Redhawks earned a 53-33 victory in a Western Athletic Conference contest at KeyArena. Jarell Flora led the Redhawks with 14 points, plus he pulled down four rebounds, while Isiah Umipig finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Shore Adenekan came off the bench and contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, and Jack Crook led all players with 12 rebounds, part of a 37-29 Redhawk rebounding advantage. As a team, Seattle U shot 40.8 percent (20-of-49) from the field, including 4-of-14 from behind the three-point line, and 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from the free throw line.
HISTORIC DEFENSIVE EFFORT: The 33 points allowed by Seattle U Feb. 7 against Utah Valley is the lowest point total given up to a Division I opponent in the history of the SU basketball program, eclipsing the previous mark of 36 points scored by Portland State on Dec. 15, 1958, in an 85-36 Seattle U victory. The record for fewest points scored by a Seattle U opponent at any level is 23 scored by Pacific Lutheran Feb. 2, 1946. In addition, UVU missed all 17 of its three-point field goal attempts, the second-most attempts without a made three-pointer in Division I this season. Texas Tech missed all 21 of its three-point attempts against Loyola Chicago on Dec. 22.
WHERE TO CATCH THE GAME: Thursday’s game will be available online through both the WAC Digital Network, which can be accessed by visiting www.wacsports.com/watch, and ESPN3. It will also be broadcast live on 770 AM KTTH, with Dave Grosby and Gary Hill Jr. providing the play-by-play from the Pan American Center.
SCOUTING NEW MEXICO STATE: The Aggies come into Thursday’s game with a 15-10 overall record, including a 7-1 record within the Western Athletic Conference that has given them a two-game lead in the league standings. New Mexico State has won five games in a row, 10 of its last 11 games, and 11 of its last 13 contests. The Aggies are averaging 68.9 points per game and giving up 61.6 points per contest. As a team, New Mexico State is shooting 46.2 percent from the field, including 37.2 percent from behind the three-point line, and 67.0 percent from the free throw line. Daniel Mullings has returned from an injury he suffered earlier this season and is averaging 13.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Remi Barry is scoring 13.6 points per game as he is shooting 50 percent (31-of-62) from behind the three-point line and 73.8 percent from the free throw line. Pascal Siakam is contributing 12.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocked shots per game, as he is shooting 57 percent from the field so far this season.
SEATTLE U VS. NEW MEXICO STATE: The Aggies hold a 6-2 lead over the Redhawks entering Thursday’s game and have won all three meetings between the two teams in Las Cruces, N.M. For the first time in 44 years, Seattle U defeated New Mexico State on Jan. 17 at KeyArena, 58-52. Jarell Flora led the Redhawks with 16 points and seven rebounds, while William Powell finished with 14 points and six rebounds and Shore Adenekan contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and two blocked shots off the bench. Pascal Siakam led New Mexico State with 17 points and eight rebounds, and Tshilidzi Nephawe notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, plus he blocked two shots. The Redhawks shot 51.1 percent from the field and committed only eight turnovers in the win.