CLOSING TIME: Seattle University closes out the 2015-16 regular season with a trip to Bakersfield, Calif., to face the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. The Redhawks locked up the third seed in next week’s WAC Tournament with their win over Utah Valley last Saturday, while the Roadrunners have secured the second seed in the conference tournament. However, both teams still have a lot to play for. Bakersfield would like to finish no worse than in a tie for second place in the final WAC standings, while Seattle U would like to keep fourth place all by itself. Also, with these two teams potentially meeting in the WAC Tournament semifinals next week in Las Vegas, it is important for each team to make an impression on the other.
LAST GAME: For the second time this season, Brendan Westendorf hit a long three-pointer as time expired in regulation, giving Seattle University a 72-69 victory over Utah Valley last Saturday at KeyArena. Westendorf finished with a career-high 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, plus he collected four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. William Powell also enjoyed a career-high scoring performance, notching a double-double with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 10 rebounds. On Senior Night, Jack Crook contributed eight points, featuring two key free throws in the final minute, along with eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocked shots.
WAC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: All-session passes are still available for the WAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, taking place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 9-12. These passes cost $125 per ticket, and the seats are located in Section 104 of the Orleans Arena, close to the action. To purchase tickets online, visit www.GoSeattleU.com/sutickets, click on Men’s Basketball or Women’s Basketball, and then click on the link for the 2016 WAC Basketball Tournament. Seattle U knows that it will be the third seed and will play the 7:00 p.m. game on Thursday, March 10. The fifth and sixth seeds will be determined this weekend between Missouri-Kansas City and UT Rio Grande Valley.
SCOUTING CSU BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners enter Saturday’s game with a 20-8 overall record, including a 13-1 record at home, with the only loss coming in double overtime to New Mexico State on Jan. 23, 68-67. CSU Bakersfield is tied for second in the WAC standings at 10-3 after defeating Grand Canyon last Saturday, 77-62, and has clinched the second seed in next week’s WAC Tournament. The Roadrunners are scoring 72.7 points per game and allowing 64.0 points per contest. As a team, CSU Bakersfield is shooting 44.9 percent from the field, including 33.0 percent from behind the three-point line, and 65.8 percent from the free throw line. Aly Ahmed leads the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game, plus he has earned 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Kevin Mays is averaging 12.9 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game, Damiyne Durham has hit 77 three-pointers this season as he averages 11.8 points per game, and Dedrick Basile is contributing 11.8 points and 3.7 assists per game. Brent Wrapp leads the Roadrunners in assists at 4.4 assists per game, and Justin Hollins has collected 2.1 blocked shots per game.