Seattle Defeats Cougars 78-71

Box Score

March 7, 2009

          GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- An early 9-0 lead by Seattle turned out to be the difference Saturday in a 78-71 victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at the UND Spring Thaw Men's Basketball Independents Invitational.
          SIUE, 10-19, will now play the consolation game of the tournament against either South Dakota or North Dakota.
          The Cougars came into its third meeting of the season with Seattle having been outrebounded by an average of 15 rebounds a game. SIUE turned that around with a 32-25 advantage, crashing the boards on both ends of the floor.
          However, the 17 SIUE turnovers to Seattle's nine became an issue for the Cougars.
          "I thought that was the difference in the game," said SIUE coach Lennox Forrester.
          SIUE gave up a nine-point lead in the first three minutes of the game. Forrester switched out all five starters for five bench players, and the Cougars turned the game around. SIUE picked up a 19-6 run against the Redhawks, grabbing a 19-15 lead with 10:40 to play in the first half.
          "I thought we got off to a bad start," said Forrester. "But I give our kids credit. They kept fighting until the end. They came in and got after it on the defensive end."
          Tied 30-30 with 2:41 to play in the first half, Seattle made a quick seven-point run on back-to-back layups by Drew Harris and a three-pointer by Chris Gweth. The Redhawks held a 37-32 lead at halftime.
          Seattle, 20-9, boosted its lead to 14 with 10:04 to play in the game when Aaron Broussard hit a pair of free throws. The Redhawks held off SIUE by hitting 11 of 14 free throws in the second half.
          A balanced attack of five players scored in double figures for Seattle. Mike Boxley led the way with 18 points. Gweth, Broussard, Michael Wright and Austen Powers also scored in double figures.
          Aaron Garriott finished as SIUE's top scorer. Coming off the bench, the freshman guard scored 13 points on three three-pointers and four free throws. Aamir McCleary added 12 points. Denycko Bowles tied his season high in points with 11 and rebounds with six.
                    -siue cougars-

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Aaron Garriott: G; 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#3 Aaron Garriott
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

Players Mentioned

#3 Aaron Garriott

Players Mentioned

#3 Aaron Garriott