REGULAR SEASON WRAPUP: Seattle University brings a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s regular season finale at Grand Canyon. The Redhawks guarantee themselves the third seed in next week’s WAC Tournament with a victory over the ‘Lopes, and the second seed is still a possibility with a Seattle U win and a UMKC loss. This will be a challenge for the Redhawks, as Grand Canyon plays very well in front of its home crowd, plus it will be Senior Night for the ‘Lopes, giving them extra incentive to defeat the Redhawks.
THE BAKERSFIELD GAME: Seattle University used its solid defense along with an early offensive outburst to defeat the Bakersfield Roadrunners, 53-43, last Saturday night at KeyArena. Isiah Umipig led all players with 16 points, including three three-pointer early in the first half, plus he pulled down five rebounds. Jadon Cohee collected 13 points off the bench, featuring key back-to-back three-pointers in the second half, while William Powell pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and Emerson Murray contributed four rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Seattle U shot 38.5 percent (15-of-39) from the field, including 6-of-17 from behind the three-point line, and 51.5 percent (17-of-33) from the free throw line. Each team pulled down 34 rebounds and committed 14 turnovers, but the Redhawks were able to hold off the Bakersfield offense after taking their significant lead in the first half.
WHERE TO CATCH THE GAME: Saturday’s game will be broadcast on 770 AM KTTH, with Dave Grosby and Gary Hill Jr. providing the play-by-play descriptions, starting with the pregame show shortly before tipoff. The game will also be streamed on Cox7.com.
HOME SWEET HOME: Seattle U completed a 6-1 WAC home record, the most home conference victories as a Division I program since winning six home games within the West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) in the 1976-77 season. In those seven home games, the Redhawks allowed just 46.9 points per game, holding opponents to 34.2 percent field goal shooting while hitting 47.9 percent of their field goal attempts.
SCOUTING GRAND CANYON: The Antelopes come into Saturday’s game with a 16-14 overall record, including a 7-6 record within the WAC that puts them in a tie for third place with Seattle U and Bakersfield in the league standings. Grand Canyon has lost three straight games, including losses at Chicago State (74-70) and Missouri-Kansas City (70-65) last weekend. The ‘Lopes are scoring 68.2 points per game and giving up 68.1 points per contest. As a team, Grand Canyon is shooting 45.1 percent from the field, including 34.1 percent from behind the three-point line, and 70.3 percent from the free throw line. DeWayne Russell leads the team with 15.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Russell is averaging 6.6 free throw attempts per game and is making 75.5 percent of those shots. Joshua Braun is contributing 11.7 poitns and 4.9 rebounds per game.