Seattle U dominated San Diego 75-64 at the Redhawk Center, with Junseok Yeo leading the charge with 18 points. The Redhawks' win was fueled by a strong team effort, with Brayden Maldonado adding 16 points and John Christofilis contributing 11 points. Seattle U's victory marked their 14th win of the season, improving their record to 14-8.
The game got off to a slow start for San Diego, as they managed only 24 points in the first half, trailing Seattle U 33-24 at the break. Ty-Laur Johnson, San Diego's top performer, did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 18 points and dishing out 9 assists. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Redhawks' balanced attack. Assane Diop and Juanse Gorosito also chipped in with 11 points each for the Toreros, but their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Seattle U's strong performance.
In the second half, Seattle U continued to pull away, outscoring San Diego 42-40. The Redhawks' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Yeo and Maldonado leading the charge. Seattle U's defense also played a crucial role, holding San Diego to 40% shooting from the field.
The win was a Quad 4 victory for Seattle U, which may not significantly boost their tournament resume, but it does help to pad their win total. On the other hand, the loss was a Quad 2 defeat for San Diego, which could hurt their chances of making a postseason push. San Diego's current net ranking of 207 makes it an uphill climb for them to make a significant move up the rankings.
Seattle U's performance was impressive, and they showed why they are ranked 121st in the nation. Their ability to balance their offense and play strong defense made it difficult for San Diego to mount a comeback. Yeo's 18 points were a key factor in the win, and his performance matters for the Redhawks as they continue their season.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. While Seattle U's win doesn't greatly enhance their resume, it does help to keep them in the conversation. San Diego, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on winning their remaining games to have any hope of making a postseason run. As it stands, Seattle U's victory has solidified their position as a mid-major contender, while San Diego must work harder to make a case for themselves.