Unexpected Source Steps Up to Close Out Redhawks 69-59 Win Over Lions
SEATTLE, Wash. - Rebounding nicely from a blowout loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs last weekend, Jojo Murphy scored 13 points off the bench to lead the Seattle Redhawks as they dominated on both ends for a majority of the night to put away the Loyola Marymount Lions in a 69-59 home win.
Despite the Lions stringing together a 20-4 run in the second half, the deficit they dug themselves into in the first half proved to be too much to overcome. At halftime, the Redhawks led 35-18 behind strong shooting and stingy defense, building a comfortable lead that helped propel the home team to a much-needed WCC win.
Playmaking guard Brayden Maldonado led the way for Seattle U with 12 first half points and Junseok Yeo had seven. LMU tried pressing full court and a couple possessions of zone, but nothing could slow down the Redhawks offense that got to the rim at will. On the defensive end, the Redhawks smothered the Lions' ball handlers all night, forcing 11 first half turnovers and converted those opportunities into 13 points.
“We emphasize being physical before the game, and we wanted to come out here and execute that,” Murphy said postgame.
Coming out of halftime, the Redhawks matched their physicality from the first half, but LMU punished that aggression by drawing fouls and getting to the charity stripe. In the first half, Seattle U only fouled six times and LMU shot zero free throws. But in the second half, Seattle committed 12 fouls which led to 16 LMU free throws, which helped trim the deficit back into single digits.
In the second half, Seattle’s ball pressure was not as effective slowing down LMU as the first 20 minutes, and the visitors began stringing together a run. Loyola Marymount’s Myron Amey Jr. starred as the architect of a 20-4 second half run thanks to 16 second half points. Along with their newfound offense, the Lions full court press began giving Seattle trouble, opening up turnover opportunities to aid the comeback attempt.
With Maldonado having a quiet second half with just two points, Murphy picked up the slack and commanded the Redhawk offense. 17 minutes off the bench is the most Murphy has recorded in conference play, and the senior guard made the most of it. He finished with 13 points, with 10 of them coming in the second half, and played with a poise that led to good looks for the Redhawks late to close out the win.
Despite the short flurry of success for the Lions, the Redhawks still led for 35 minutes for their third win of conference play. After this pivotal win, Seattle now sits at 3-5 in the WCC and will travel to Stockton, California to play fifth place Pacific next on the schedule.
