Defense Anchors Win Over Lions, 69-59

SEATTLE – One big half from two different players was just what Seattle University needed on Wednesday night.

Brayden Maldonado scored 12 of his 14 points during the first half, Jojo Murphy tallied 10 of his 13 during the second, and Seattle U got back onto the men’s basketball winning track by downing Loyola Marymount inside the Redhawk Center, 69-59.

Austin Maurer added 11 points for the Redhawks (14-7, 3-5 West Coast Conference), who bounced back from Saturday’s loss to No 9-ranked Gonzaga. Will Heimbrodt chipped in 10 plus a team-leading seven rebounds.

Senior reserve guard Murphy came up big during a stretch when LMU (11-11, 2-7 WCC) was trying to claw its way back into the game. The Redhawks had built a seemingly insurmountable 52-24 lead with just more than 13 minutes left in the game.

But the Lions found a spark with a 25-8 scoring run, cutting the difference to just 11 at 60-49 with 4:54 still on the clock.

A driving scoop lay-in by Murphy on the next possession boosted it back to 13 at 62-49 with 4:35 to go. Then at the other end, Heimbrodt came up with a blocked shot and Murphy secured the rebound. Heimbrodt streaked downcourt and Murphy whipped a pass to him for an easy lay-in.

LMU answered with a 3-pointer, then Murphy was fouled and hit both free throws for a 66-52 advantage at the 3:46 mark. A dunk by Heimbrodt and another Murphy free throw essentially put the game out of reach at 69-52 and only 2:14 remaining.

Senior guard Maldondo had nine of Seattle U’s first 15 points. By game’s end, he also had pulled down five rebounds and handed out two assists.

Up 21-16 with 6:00 left in the first half, the Redhawks broke the game open with 12-0 scoring run. Yeo contributed half of those points with a string of three straight baskets.

During that stretch, the Seattle U defense kept the Lions off the board for 4 minutes, 12 seconds, limiting them to just four shots and forcing two turnover – both of which were converted into points. That helped the Redhawks take a 35-18 lead into halftime.

By the Numbers

-- Loyola Marymount’s 18 points were the fewest allowed in the first half this season by the Redhawks. The fewest allowed in any half so far was 11 in the second half on the way to a 97-43 rout of Puget Sound on Dec. 3 at home.

-- Heimbrodt’s block that ultimately led to his fast-break basket was his only one of the night, but was his 52nd of the season. He needs just one more to move into a tie for No. 4 on SU’s all-time single-season list.

-- The Redhawks shot 41 percent from the field, hitting 25 of 61. They had a solid night at the free throw line draining  14 of 17 (82.4 percent).

-- After a season-high 18 turnovers against Gonzaga, Seattle U took much better care of the basketball, committing just seven.

-- At the other end, the Redhawks forced 20 Loyola Marymount turnovers, converting those into 23 points.

-- Myron Amrey Jr. led the Lions with 18 points.

-- This was the first time since 2011 that the Redhawks and Lions have met. It was the 17th time the teams have squared off in Seattle – and SU has won all 17.

Up Next
Having concluded their three-game homestand, the Redhawks hit the road for their next two. Up first is a trip to Stockton, Calif., for a contest at Pacific on Saturday. Tip-off is at 4:00 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN+.