LAS VEGAS – Seattle University men's basketball opened play at the Resorts World Classic in emphatic fashion Friday morning, riding a dominant second half to a 66-52 win over Texas State. The victory marks the Redhawks’ fourth straight and moves them to 5-1 on the season — continuing one of the strongest starts in recent program history.
Tied 33-33 at halftime, Seattle U came out of the locker room with energy and precision, outscoring Texas State 33-19 over the final 20 minutes and shooting 61.9% from the field in the second half. The Redhawks’ defense tightened as well, holding the Bobcats to just eight made field goals after the break and limiting them to 0-for-3 from deep.
Will Heimbrodt paced Seattle U with 17 points, adding three rebounds, four assists and two steals. Junseok Yeo added 16 points with three rebounds and three assists. He knocked down three triples and was key in the second-half surge, scoring 10 after the break.
Houran Dan and Brayden Maldonado added eight points each, while Miles Amos posted six points, four boards and two steals off the bench. Austin Maurer hauled in a team-high seven boards while Maldonado added five. Seattle U finished the day at 51% shooting, including 6-of-17 beyond the arc, and outscored Texas State 38-30 in the paint.
After a back-and-forth opening half featuring six ties and seven lead changes, Seattle U took control early in the second. A Heimbrodt layup and back-to-back baskets from Amos and Yeo sparked a 10-2 run that pushed the margin into double digits — a lead the Redhawks would maintain the rest of the way.
The defensive intensity fueled the offense as well. Seattle U forced nine second-half turnovers, turning several into transition baskets that kept momentum squarely on the Redhawks’ side. Seattle U also earned a 22-10 points-in-the-paint advantage in the second half.
The largest lead of the game came with 7:21 remaining when a Yeo finish inside made it 58-41. The Bobcats made one more run, scoring eight straight to pull within 11, but would get no closer.
Seattle U advances to face UC Santa Barbara in the championship game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The game will stream live on FloCollege.com.
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