SEATTLE – Seattle U men's basketball combined its best offensive half of the year in the first half with its best defensive half in the second frame to complete an 83-72 Western Athletic Conference win over defending champion NM State Friday night in the Redhawk Center.
The Redhawks (9-7, 2-2 WAC) shot 53 percent from the field and 59 percent from three (10-for-17) in the opening half while also forcing 10 Aggie turnovers to lead 48-44 at the break. The only thorn in their side in the frame? A 20-7 rebounding deficit.
Out of the locker room in the second half, the Redhawks righted that ship, powering their way to a 19-9 edge on the boards. The defensive effort kept the Aggies at bay with just 28 second-half points and a 31 percent clip from the field in the frame.
Darrion Trammell led a balanced and deep attack for Seattle U, finishing with a game-high 22 points to go along with five assists. Emeka Udenyi went 6-for-6 from the field for 12 points and Aaron Nettles added four threes for 12 points. Riley Grigsby, back in the lineup after missing last week's action at Dixie State, finished with 10 points including hitting his first three buckets for eight of Seattle U's first 13 points of the night.
The Redhawks also got big production off the bench including eight points from Nate Robinson, seven from Daron Henson and a key corner three by Rip Economou to close out the first half and send Seattle U into the break with a four-point cushion.
NM State (4-5, 1-4 WAC) were paced by Donnie Tillman's 16 points. He was the lone Aggie to score in double figures.
After leading by single digits for much of the night, Seattle U used a fiery 10-0 run midway through the second half to pull away. Henson began the streak with a jumper in the paint. Then came a Trammell three, followed by a pair of free throws by the guard. Then, off an Aggie turnover, Nettles drilled his fourth triple of the night to push the Redhawk lead to 17, 75-58, and force a NMSU timeout.
With the game in hand for the Redhawks, the Aggies would go on to score the last seven points of the night for the final 11-point spread.
Seattle U and NM State conclude the two-game WAC series on Saturday with a 8 p.m. Pacific tip off from the Redhawk Center. The game time has been pushed back from its original 6 p.m. start time due to inclement weather. The game will stream live on ESPN+ and can be heard in Seattle on KTTH 770 AM or mynorthwest.com.
The Redhawks (9-7, 2-2 WAC) shot 53 percent from the field and 59 percent from three (10-for-17) in the opening half while also forcing 10 Aggie turnovers to lead 48-44 at the break. The only thorn in their side in the frame? A 20-7 rebounding deficit.
Out of the locker room in the second half, the Redhawks righted that ship, powering their way to a 19-9 edge on the boards. The defensive effort kept the Aggies at bay with just 28 second-half points and a 31 percent clip from the field in the frame.
Darrion Trammell led a balanced and deep attack for Seattle U, finishing with a game-high 22 points to go along with five assists. Emeka Udenyi went 6-for-6 from the field for 12 points and Aaron Nettles added four threes for 12 points. Riley Grigsby, back in the lineup after missing last week's action at Dixie State, finished with 10 points including hitting his first three buckets for eight of Seattle U's first 13 points of the night.
Roll those highlights ?????? pic.twitter.com/c0p3MQy3uk
— Seattle U Men's Basketball (@seattleumbb) February 13, 2021
The Redhawks also got big production off the bench including eight points from Nate Robinson, seven from Daron Henson and a key corner three by Rip Economou to close out the first half and send Seattle U into the break with a four-point cushion.
NM State (4-5, 1-4 WAC) were paced by Donnie Tillman's 16 points. He was the lone Aggie to score in double figures.
After leading by single digits for much of the night, Seattle U used a fiery 10-0 run midway through the second half to pull away. Henson began the streak with a jumper in the paint. Then came a Trammell three, followed by a pair of free throws by the guard. Then, off an Aggie turnover, Nettles drilled his fourth triple of the night to push the Redhawk lead to 17, 75-58, and force a NMSU timeout.
With the game in hand for the Redhawks, the Aggies would go on to score the last seven points of the night for the final 11-point spread.
Seattle U and NM State conclude the two-game WAC series on Saturday with a 8 p.m. Pacific tip off from the Redhawk Center. The game time has been pushed back from its original 6 p.m. start time due to inclement weather. The game will stream live on ESPN+ and can be heard in Seattle on KTTH 770 AM or mynorthwest.com.
Postgame comments from @CoachHayford following the Redhawks big 83-72 win over NM State Friday night: https://t.co/MzL9GNDnbJ#TogetherWeSoar
— Seattle U Men's Basketball (@seattleumbb) February 13, 2021