The energy surge that nearly propelled the Seattle University men's basketball team to an upset of 24th-ranked Virginia last week carried over into Thursday's game, a 91-72 win over Nebraska-Omaha on the first night of the eighth annual Elgin Baylor Classic at KeyArena.
Aaron Broussard provided the biggest spark for the Redhawks, scoring a career-high 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting. He'd set his previous career best of 29 points on Dec. 21 against the Cavaliers.
"As we would say back in the day, he's at peace with his game," said Seattle U coach Cameron Dollar. "He keeps being aggressive, keeps being assertive, keeps making plays. I'm definitely pleased with what he's doing."
Broussard also led Seattle (3-8) with 11 rebounds, six on the offensive end. He received a nice hand from the KeyArena crowd of 2,302 when Dollar lifted him from the game with three minutes to play and Seattle U leading by 23.
"I'm just playing hard all over, trying to get steals and not just focusing on the scoring," said the 6-foot-5 senior from Federal Way. "I got a couple of offensive rebounds. I'm just trying to be aggressive, catching in the midrange and driving (to the basket)."
The Redhawks, who snapped a six-game losing skid, play San Jose State (5-8), an 81-66 winner over Coppin State earlier Thursday, at 8:15 p.m. Friday in the tournament title game.
Eric Williams added 19 points for Seattle U, four of his nine baskets coming on slam dunks. Clarence Trent finished with 11.
The keys to this win? "Group effort, energy and aggressiveness," Dollar said. "We did a much better job, especially in the first half, of attacking the rim."
SU women win
A layup from Talisa Rhea and a steal by Sylvia Shepherd in the final 20 seconds helped the Seattle U women rally from a one-point deficit and secure a 74-70 win over St. Francis on the first day of the Washington Dental Service Holiday Hoops Tournament at KeyArena.
The win snapped a two-game skid for the Redhawks (7-6), who next meet Eastern Michigan at 3:15 p.m. Friday for the tourney title. Eastern Michigan (6-5) defeated Saint Louis 66-55 earlier Thursday.
St. Francis (5-6) of Loretto, Pa., winner of the past two Northeast Conference titles, went ahead 70-69 with 43 seconds left when Rhonda Watts hit a three-pointer.
Following a timeout, Rhea responded with a driving layup at the 19-second mark, putting Seattle U ahead 71-70. Shephard then picked off a long St. Francis pass and was fouled.
The sophomore guard hit two free throws with 12 seconds left. Nickia Gibbs of St. Francis missed a pair of free throws with nine seconds to play. Seattle U's Kacie Sowell grabbed a rebound, was fouled and hit one free throw with seven seconds left to clinch the win.
Rhea led Seattle with a season-high 21 on 8-of-13 shooting from the field.
Sowell scored 17, and Shephard and Amani Butler each finished with 11.
"The thing that I liked tonight about our team was our fight," said Seattle U coach Joan Bonvicini, whose team had lost its two previous games by one and nine points. "We showed a lot of poise. We needed to win a close game like this."
Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seattleuniversity/2017122234_seattleu30.html?syndication=rss
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