BUSY OPENING: For both Seattle University and its opponent Tuesday night, Eastern Washington, the start of the 2015-16 season is a busy one, as each team will play three games in five days, culminating in their meeting on the Eagles’ home floor. After Tuesday’s game, both teams will have some time before facing each other again next Monday at KeyArena. Both Seattle U and Eastern Washington are looking for their first win over a Division I opponent this season, as the Eagles’ victory Sunday night came against George Fox.
SCOUTING EASTERN WASHINGTON: The Eagles come into Tuesday’s game with a 1-1 overall record, losing at Mississippi State last Friday, 106-88, before defeating George Fox at home this past Sunday, 126-64. Against the Bulldogs, the Eagles were ahead until there was 12:11 remaining in the second half, when Mississippi State put together a 20-0 scoring run to clinch the victory. Bogdan Bliznyuk and Felix Von Hofe finished with 21 points apiece, while Venky Jois contributed 12 points and seven rebounds. Despite shooting 50.8 percent from the field, the Eagles lost to the Bulldogs thanks in part to a significant rebounding advantage for Mississippi State (40-25) as well as the Bulldogs shooting 62.1 percent from the field. Against George Fox, the Eagles shot 63.3 percent from the field, led by Jois’s 13-for-15 performance as he finished with 29 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, and two steals. Bliznyuk notched a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, as did Austin McBroom with 19 points and 10 assists.
SERIES HISTORY: Seattle University and Eastern Washington will be meeting for the 21st time in history, with the Eagles holding an 12-8 series edge. Eastern Washington won the first seven meetings of the series: four in 1945-46, two in 1946-47, and one in 1948-49. Seattle University broke through with a 55-48 victory later in 1948-49 in Seattle. Seattle U swept the season series from Eastern Washington in 1951-52. It would be 34 years before the two schools resumed the in-state rivalry, with Seattle U opening the 1985-86 season with an 83-64 loss at Eastern Washington. After another 23 years, the Redhawks made the trip to Cheney and pulled out a 63-59 victory over the Eagles in overtime. The two schools split the season series over the next two years, with each team winning on its home floor. On Jan. 16, 2012, Seattle U defeated EWU, 91-78, at KeyArena, with Aaron Broussard scoring 34 points and Sterling Carter adding 26 points for the Redhawks. In a true team effort, eight different Seattle University players earned at least six points as the Redhawks earned a 75-69 victory over Eastern Washington Dec. 10, 2012, at Reese Court. Back at Reese Court on Nov. 29, 2013, the Eagles defeated the Redhawks, 82-75, pulling away in the final five minutes of the contest. Last season, Eastern Washington went on a 22-3 scoring run over the final nine minutes of the first half on its way to an 87-75 win over the Redhawks at KeyArena. Jadon Cohee came off the bench and scored 12 points in just 13 minutes for the Redhawks. Venky Jois shot 13-of-18 from the field and 12-of-15 from the free throw line as he finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals.