Men’s Basketball Makes History
In their final game of the regular season on March 5, the Seattle University’s men’s basketball team defended home court, defeating Chicago State by the score of 74-66. The Redhawks finished Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play with a 14-4 record, clinching a share of the WAC regular season championship for the first time in their division 1 history. They share the title with New Mexico State and Stephen F Austin, both of whom finished with the same record. Also, this year’s Redhawk team became the first to win 23 games in a season since the 1957-58 squad, which was led by Seattle U and NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor.
Sold-out Crowd Cheers on an Exciting Basketball Game
With the title on the line on senior day, the atmosphere inside Redhawk Center was electric. Students, family members, and other fans occupied almost every seat in the small gym. Before the game started, the team held a special ceremony to honor seniors Aaron Nettles and Matt Vail. From that moment on, the action on the court befitted the atmosphere in the gym.
Despite coming into the game with a 7-22 record, the Chicago State Cougars gave the Redhawks all they could handle in what would amount to an unsuccessful upset bid.After multiple exciting lead changes, the teams went into halftime tied at 30. In the second half, Chicago State continued to play well, leading by as much as five at one point. However, every time the visitors seemed to gain momentum, the Redhawks answered right back, amping up their defensive pressure and getting some clutch scoring primarily from their trio of stars: Junior Riley Grigsby, Sophomore Darrion Trammell, and Redshirt Sophomore Cameron Tyson.
Guards Put on a Show
The play of the aforementioned trio was absolutely crucial to the Redhawks’ victory. Grigsby (22), Trammell (20), and Tyson (18) combined for 60 points with all three of them making critical buckets throughout the game. Tyson scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half. This included four threes, two of which came on back-to-back Redhawk possessions late in the game, firing up Redhawk Center and giving his team a six-point lead that they would not relinquish.
Chicago State also had a couple of impressive performers. Brandon Betson scored a game-high 31 points and Jahsean Corbett poured in 24 points. Yet, Betson was largely held in check by Kyree Brown over the game’s last few minutes during which the Redhawks secured the victory.
Look Ahead to the WAC Tournament
The Redhawks will travel to Las Vegas next week for the 2022 WAC Tournament. As a result of today’s victory and owning the tiebreaker over Stephen F Austin, the Redhawks are the second seed in the tournament and get a bye until the semifinals. If they win the semifinal and final, they will make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1969. While it will be tough considering that the WAC is stronger this year and that they have lost twice to the number 1 seed New Mexico State, the Redhawks have the talent to run the table.
