GAME #6: Seattle University brings a two-game winning streak to Berkeley, Calif., for Tuesday’s contest against the California Golden Bears, the first of two Pac-12 opponents the Redhawks will face this season.
THE GREAT FALLS GAME: The defense for Seattle University buckled down in the second half, and the Redhawks cut down on their mistakes after halftime as they defeated the Argonauts of the University of Great Falls, 58-48, last Wednesday night in a non-conference men’s collegiate basketball game at the ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash. Ahead by one point five minutes into the game, Seattle U scored nine unanswered points, starting with a three-pointer from Manroop Clair and including four points from Aaron Menzies, to extend its lead to 19-9. Great Falls answered right back, scoring nine straight points over the next four minutes, featuring two jumpers by Issac Howard, to close its deficit back to one at 19-18. The teams would trade baskets for the next several minutes, with a tip-in by Jack Crook giving Seattle U a 27-25 advantage with 4:29 remaining in the first half. The Argonauts would hold the Redhawks scoreless for the rest of the half, with baskets by Daniel Arcau and Lamar Falley giving the visitors a 29-27 lead at halftime. Seattle U scored the first five points of the second half, retaking the lead on a layup by Crook. Howard hit a three-pointer with 13:11 left in the second half to bring the Argonauts to within three at 39-36, but the Redhawks went on a 12-0 scoring run over the next five minutes to open a double-digit lead, where it would remain for the rest of the game. Crook once again led the Redhawks with 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots, while William Powell contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Jadon Cohee finished with nine points and six rebounds, and Menzies contributed nine points and five rebounds to the winning effort.
NCAA STATISTICAL RANKINGS: After the games of Nov. 29, Seattle U is eighth in the country in fewest personal fouls per game (15.4) and 33rd in scoring defense (62.2 ppg). Individually, Jack Crook is 52nd in the country in field goal percentage (.600).
SCOUTING CALIFORNIA: The Golden Bears enter Tuesday’s game with a 4-2 overall record. Cal won its first four games at home before losing to San Diego State (72-58) and to Richmond (94-90) at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational last weekend at the Orleans Arena. The Bears are scoring 81.5 points per game and allowing 70.5 points per contest. As a team, California is shooting 48.0 percent from the field, including 30.4 percent from behind the three-point line, and 70.5 percent from the free throw line. Second-year head coach Cuonzo Martin has used the same starting lineup in all six games. Tyrone Wallace leads the Bears with 18.7 points and 4.5 assists per game as he is shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 71.0 percent from the free throw line. Jaylen Brown is averaging 16.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Ivan Rabb, currently shooting 64.4 percent from the field and 77.8 percent from the free throw line, is contributing 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots per game. Jordan Mathews is averaging 11.3 points per game, and Jabari Bird is averaging 8.8 points per contest.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the eighth meeting all-time between Seattle U and California, with the Bears holding a 5-2 series advantage. The most famous meeting was probably the first one, on March 15, 1958, in the West Regional final at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Charlie Brown sent the game into overtime with a 25-foot jumper with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, and then he scored the go-ahead basket with 10 seconds left in overtime as Seattle U defeated Cal, 66-62, to advance to the Final Four. Elgin Baylor led Seattle U with 26 points. The next meeting took place at the Far West Classic in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 27, 1962, with Cal winning in overtime, 85-77. The teams played four times over a six-season span from 1973 through 1978, with Cal winning the first three games before Seattle U earned an 81-67 victory at the Seattle Center Coliseum on Dec. 9, 1978. These teams last met on Dec. 21, 1984, with Cal defeating Seattle U, then an NAIA program, 79-43.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Seattle U returns to KeyArena this weekend for two games with significant promotions around both contests. Friday, Dec. 4, is Canadian Heritage Night, as Seattle U’s Canadian student-athletes, including Manroop Clair and Jadon Cohee, will be recognized. Sunday, Dec. 6, is 12s Night at the Key, as anyone wearing gear from the Seattle NFL organization will receive free tickets for themselves and a guest.