The Seattle U Redhawks put up a good fight, but ultimately fell short against the Saint Mary's Gaels, losing 72-70 in a closely contested matchup at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle U started strong, scoring 28 points in the first period, but Saint Mary's adjusted their strategy and won. The Gaels' 35 points in the first period set the tone for the game, and despite Seattle U's efforts, they couldn't quite catch up. Saint Mary's has been on a roll lately, with a 4-1 record in their last 5 games, and this win brings their overall record to 24-4. Seattle U, on the other hand, drops to 16-12, with a 2-3 record in their last 5 games, averaging 65.2 points per game and allowing 67.8 points per game over that stretch.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. Saint Mary's Mikey Lewis was the star of the show, scoring 22 points and grabbing 5 rebounds, including some crucial shots in the second half. Seattle U's Junseok Yeo also had a strong game, scoring 20 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Gaels' balanced attack. Saint Mary's had three players score in double figures, with Paulius Murauskas adding 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Andrew McKeever chipping in with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Seattle U's Will Heimbrodt and Jojo Murphy also had notable performances, scoring 14 and 10 points respectively, but the Redhawks' offense stalled at times, scoring only 42 points in the second period.
Saint Mary's Gaels Have Outscored Opponents by 16.6 Points per Game Over Last 5 Games
Lewis's performance was impressive, but what really stood out was his ability to hit big shots when it mattered most. He scored 12 of his 22 points in the second half, including a few clutch three-pointers that helped Saint Mary's pull away. Murauskas and McKeever also made significant contributions, with Murauskas's 9 rebounds helping to control the paint and McKeever's 5 rebounds providing a spark off the bench. On the other hand, Seattle U's Yeo had a strong first half, scoring 12 of his 20 points, but he disappeared in the second half, scoring only 8 points. Heimbrodt and Murphy tried to pick up the slack, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Gaels' defense. Saint Mary's has been outscoring their opponents by an average of 16.6 points over their last 5 games, and this win was no exception, with the Gaels' 78.2 points per game over that stretch proving to be too much for Seattle U.
The CHD Scout prediction had Saint Mary's winning by 12.6 points, and while the actual margin was much closer, the prediction was still correct.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The reason for this discrepancy was likely due to Seattle U's strong defensive performance, which held Saint Mary's to 72 points, well below their average of 78.2 points per game over their last 5 games. The Redhawks' defense was able to limit the Gaels' scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half, and forced them to work harder for their points. However, Saint Mary's was still able to come out on top, thanks to their balanced attack and clutch shooting. The Gaels' recent form has been impressive, with a 4-1 record in their last 5 games, and this win brings their overall record to 24-4, with 18 of those wins coming by 10 points or more.
This win has real consequences for Saint Mary's tournament resume, as it improves their record to 24-4 and solidifies their position as a top contender.
The Gaels' NET ranking of 27 is likely to improve, and they may even crack the top 25 with this win. Seattle U, on the other hand, drops to 16-12, and their NET ranking of 128 is likely to remain steady. However, the Redhawks' recent form has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record in their last 5 games, and they must string together some wins if they want to make a push for the tournament. Saint Mary's, on the other hand, is looking like a lock for the tournament, with their strong record and impressive recent form. The Gaels' 24-4 record is the best in their conference, and they have a significant lead in the standings, with 10 conference wins and only 2 losses.
In terms of tournament implications, this win is a big one for Saint Mary's. The Gaels have been playing well all season, but this win over a decent Seattle U team helps to solidify their position as a top contender. They have a strong record, a high NET ranking, and a impressive recent form, with 18 of their 24 wins coming by 10 points or more. Seattle U, on the other hand, is still on the bubble, but this loss doesn't help their cause. The Redhawks must win some games late if they want to make a push for the tournament, and their recent form has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record in their last 5 games. Saint Mary's, on the other hand, is looking like a lock for the tournament, with their strong record and impressive recent form, and this win brings them one step closer to securing a high seed.