Redhawks Mistakes Late Wipe Away Comeback Win Opportunity in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii — With 13.8 seconds remaining, Will Heimbrodt earned a trip to the free throw line with the Redhawks leading 73-72. Seattle had done the hard part. They erased a Hawaii 16-point lead and had their leading scorer at the line, who had already hit all six of his free throw attempts thus far.

Heimbrodt exhaled and took three dribbles. The shot rolled around the rim, miss. His second attempt, front rim, miss, Hawaii rebound.

Hawaii held it for the last shot of the game, and got it to the hands of their leading scorer on the night, Jaden Matingou. Matingou got a switch on Heimbrodt, and created enough separation on a mid-range shot over the outstretched hands of Heimbrodt to ice the game. Seattle got the ball back with just a second left but a Heimbrodt turnover off the inbounds sealed the loss.

An unfortunate final sequence of plays for Heimbrodt sealed Seattle’s fate in a 74-73 season opening loss to Hawaii at the Stan Sheriff Center Monday night.

The Redhawks played catch-up most of the night as the Rainbow Warriors led for a little over 36 minutes of the game. Seattle trailed by 16 with 7:26 remaining in the first half and relied on Heimbrodt and Mason Williams to cut into the deficit. Heimbrodt finished with 20 points (7-11 FG) and added four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. Seattle struggled to attack the paint early and Heimbrodt turned the tide, attempting six free throws in the first half with his aggressiveness leading to plentiful opportunities from the charity stripe.

For Williams, the Iowa State transfer looked comfortable as a primary shot creator in his first game as a Redhawk. He also had 20 points (7-15 FG, 3-8 3PT), three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Williams was the go-to-guy when the Redhawks offense was stagnant and made tough shots.

The one-two Heimbrodt-Williams punch was vital as scoring was scarce from other Redhawks in the opening 20 minutes. Returner Junseok Yeo finished with six points and did not attempt a field goal until the 7:14 minute mark.

The two helped the Redhawks claw all their way back as with 3:30 left in the game Seattle held its first lead. The lead would only be as large as three, but Seattle opened the door for the Rainbow Warriors to steal back the victory.

Hawaii only made two field goals in the final 2:45, but the Redhawks kept putting them on the line. They attempted eight free throws during that stretch and while Seattle made five of their last six field goal attempts, Hawaii converted on the easy looks. Matingou led Hawaii with 20 points and took a game-high 12 free throw attempts.

The mistakes especially sting as cutting into the lead meant hunkering down on defense. Hawaii got a lot of easy looks out of their pick and roll. Hawaii ran their pick and rolls through 6-11 Bol Dengdit and 6-9 Zach Davidson. Both combined for 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Seattle struggled against the action involved with these two despite playing bigger lineups. 

Junior forward Ray Adams recorded a career-high 16 minutes and allowed for two wing lineups when starters Junseok Yeo and Heimbrodt staggered minutes. Adams finished the game with three points, four rebounds, a block and a steal.

Seattle outscored Hawaii 34-27 in the second half and more notably, Hawaii's field goal percentage dropped from 58.6% to 36.4% in the second half.

Despite the loss, the Redhawks did receive solid contributions from several newcomers, including Holy Cross transfer Tyler Boston.

Boston got the start at point guard. He also started in the exhibition against Oregon and Monday night recorded eight points (4-9 FG) and had a team-high six assists. Boston was a catalyst in helping the Redhawks attack the rim and push the ball in transition.

Halvine Dzellat got the start at center. He had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and a steal. While he and Ladji Coulibaly each had three fouls, the two staggered their minutes for the most part.

Amare Larane recorded six minutes and recorded two field goal attempts. Larane wants to drive to the lane, but both his shot attempts were heavily contested layups. Jaden Bailes recorded five minutes and made a three-pointer but coughed up three turnovers. Neither played in the second half.