SENIOR NIGHT: Seattle University welcomes Bakersfield to KeyArena for the final home game of the regular season. Tip-off is scheduled for just after 7:30 p.m., but fans are encouraged to come early and find their seats, as the Senior Night ceremonies honoring Shore Adenekan, Jarell Flora, Emerson Murray, and Isiah Umipig will start at 7:14 p.m. There is a lor on the line in this contest, especially seeding in the WAC Tournament, as it is desirable for both teams to be on the opposite side of the bracket as WAC regular season champion New Mexico State.
THE CHICAGO STATE GAME: For the second time over the past two weeks, Seattle University held its opponent to a historically low point total, as the Redhawks shut down the Chicago State offense on their way to a 57-31 victory over the Cougars last Saturday night at KeyArena. Chicago State never held the lead in the game as Seattle U scored the first eight points and went wire-to-wire with the victory. William Powell scored 11 points, pulled down eight rebounds, dished out three assists, and earned both a blocked shot and a steal. Isiah Umipig also scored 11 points, plus he collected a team-high three steals, while Jadon Cohee and Emmanuel Chibuogwu each finished with eight points and four rebounds off the bench. Although he did not score any points, Emerson Murray ran the offense with precision as he dished out six assists to go along with five rebounds. As a team, Seattle U shot 55.3 percent (21-of-38) from the field, including 4-of-12 from behind the three-point line, and 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the free throw line.
WHERE TO CATCH THE GAME: Saturday’s game is being broadcast by the American Sports Network and will be shown by KOMO-2 (channel 94 on Wave Broadband, channel 328 on Comcast). It will also be streamed online at www.americansportsnet.com. Those with DirecTV and Dish can find the game on MASN, channel 640 for DirecTV customers and channel 432 for Dish subscribers. The game will also be broadcast on 770 AM KTTH with Dave Grosby and Gary Hill Jr., beginning with the pregame show shortly before tipoff.
SCOUTING BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners enter Saturday’s game with a 13-16 overall record after defeating Bristol University Tuesday night, 95-81. After starting the season 1-10, Bakersfield has put together a 12-6 record since Dec. 20, including a 55-52 victory over California in Berkeley. The Roadrunners are scoring 64.8 points per game and giving up 62.2 points per contest. As a team, Bakersfield is shooting 42.7 percent from the field, including 34.1 percent from behind the three-point line, and 72.5 percent from the free throw line. Aly Ahmed leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game, as he is shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. He is also averaging 7.1 rebounds per game, just behind team leader Kevin Mays, who is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game to go along with 9.7 points per game.
SEATTLE U VS. BAKERSFIELD: In a series of streaks, Bakersfield leads Seattle U, 7-4, heading into Saturday’s 12th all-time meeting between the two schools. Bakersfield won the first three games, Seattle U took the next four contests, and now the Roadrunners bring a four-game winning streak over the Redhawks into Saturday’s game. In this season’s previous meeting in Bakersfield Jan. 31, a William Powell layup with 4.5 seconds remaining in overtime tied the game, but Bakersfield would pull away in the extra session for a 71-61 overtime victory. Powell collected a then-career high 16 points, plus he earned four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Emerson Murray notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, plus he dished out seven assists. Aly Ahmed and Kevin Mays each notched double-doubles as Bakersfield dominated the boards with 40 rebounds, including 17 offensive rebounds. Ahmed earned 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Mays contributed 10 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Roadrunners score 18 second-chance points during the game.