Cold Shooting Can't Keep Redhawks from Winning a Thriller
Cold Shooting Can't Keep Redhawks from Winning a Thriller
Another Utah Valley-Seattle U thriller that came down the final possessions.
In 2019, in Orem, it was Morgan Means who etched his name in the Utah Valley-Seattle U rivalry.
In 2021 at the Redhawk Center, it was Trey Woodbury who etched his name in the Utah Valley-Seattle U rivalry.
In 2022, at Climate Pledge Arena, it was Cam Tyson, Riley Grigsby and Darrion Trammell who etched their names in this budding rivalry.
In 2023, it was Riley Grigsby once again who put his stamp on the rivalry.
And in 2024, let’s add three names to that growing list…Kobe Williamson, Brandto Chatfield, and Paris Dawson.
Williamson and Dawson combined to pull down 13 offensive boards, and Dawson hit the go-ahead free throw with 21 seconds left as Seattle U escaped and split the season series with a 62-61 win at the Redhawk Center on Friday night.
Let’s look at some stats. Utah Valley shot 47.2 percent for the game. Seattle U shot just a shade under 33 percent. Utah Valley was 6-18 from 3-point range. Seattle U was 6-31 from 3-point range.
Utah Valley committed 13 turnovers. Seattle U committed 13 turnovers. Utah Valley was 5-11 from the free throw line. Seattle U was 14-20 from the free throw line.
Some might say that is what won Seattle U the ball game.
Sure, that was part of it. But, thanks to 17 offensive rebounds, Seattle U also shot 11 more field goal attempts than Utah Valley did.
Yes, 17 offensive rebounds, which led to 16 second-chance points. Compare that to just five offensive rebounds for Utah Valley that led to three points and you can see how Seattle U won the game.
Here is the other part of this wild ball game. Utah Valley held a 59-54 lead with 6:11 to play after Ethan Potter knocked down a little floater in the lane.
A 5-point lead, late in the ball game, against a team not shooting very well and on the road, as well.
But, as they have done all season, Utah Valley stopped scoring down the stretch. Missed 3-pointers, a weird 15-foot jumper by 7-footer Trevin Dorius, and missed free throws were all part of a 4-minute scoring drought. Drake Allen finally broke the drought with a driving layup to make it 61-60 with 1:53 to play.
On the ensuing Seattle U possession, Kobe Williamson looked to have an easy dunk but Trevin Dorius blocked the attempt from behind. However, Brandton Chatfield was right there for the offensive board and put back at point blank range and missed the easy dunk.
Utah Valley secured the rebound but Tanner Toolson’s jumper hit back iron and Seattle U had a chance to take the lead right back.
Once again, a missed shot, this time a 3-pointer from Paris Dawson and once again, an offensive rebound by Brandton Chatfield. This time, it led to a pair of free throws for Paris Dawson with 21 seconds to play. Dawson calmly sank both to give the Redhawks a 62-61 lead.
After a pair of timeouts to figure things out, Utah Valley was unable to get up a good look as Caleb Stone-Carrawell had to throw up a prayer over Kobe Williamson.
Another Utah Valley-Seattle U ball game and another wild ending that came down to the final two possessions.
Friday night’s contest was the lone game of the week for both teams.
Seattle U won its second straight, improve to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in WAC play.
Utah Valley fell to 1-9 in true road games and is now 9-11 overall and 4-5 in WAC play.
The Redhawks go to Grand Canyon on Thursday and at California Baptist next Saturday.
Utah Valley is at SFA on Thursday and returns home to host Grand Canyon next Saturday.