Cougars Close Regular Season With 67-53 Win Over Seattle U

Box Score PDF Box Score
 
CHICAGO – The Chicago State men's basketball team clinched the No. 3 seed in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament with a 67-53 victory over Seattle U on Saturday (March 8) afternoon at the Jones Convocation Center.
 
The No. 3 seed is the highest for a NCAA Division I school in the state of Illinois this year. It is also the highest tournament seed the Cougars have ever earned in program history for a conference tournament that has awards an NCAA automatic bid to the winner.
 
"Our guys know we're down to a three game season," Chicago State head coach Tracy Dildy said. "Our guys know what it would mean to this university (to advance to the NCAA Tournament), it would be a special moment. It would be a dream come true for me and we want to do something really special for this university and the city of Chicago. That's our goal now."
 
The Cougars never trailed following the 17:53 mark of the first half on Saturday. Chicago State scored the final seven points of the first half to grab a 32-24 lead at the break. The Redhawks tied the game at 36 five minutes into the second half, but stifling Chicago State defense ended up being the difference.
 
For the game, the Redhawks shot 31.3 percent (15-of-48). Nine of Seattle U's 15 baskets were beyond the arc. In the second half, Seattle U shot just 7-of-27 (25.9 percent). Chicago State prevented the Redhawks from making a single basket from 15:22 to 4:35 of the second half. It helped the Cougars run away from the Redhawks over the game's final 10 minutes.
 
"The defense these guys played in the second half was probably the best defense we've played for a half for the whole year and probably the best since I've been here," Dildy said.
 
Senior Nate Duhon (Lansing, Mich./Sexton) finished with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. Senior Matt Ross (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) earned a double-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Senior Quinton Pippen (Hamburg, Ark./Hamburg) was 5-of-10 from the floor with 14 points. They were three of eight Cougars to be honored on Senior Day festivities. Eddie Denard (Chicago, Ill./Foreman), Corey Gray (Houston, Texas/Hightower), Arthur Gage (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central), Jamere Dismukes (Park Forest, Ill./Rich East) and Markus Starks (Calumet City, Ill./Wirt (Ind.)) were also recognized.
 
"I'm so proud of our seniors," Dildy said. "I've said it all year that this is a special group."
 
Jarell Flora finished with 22 points for the Redhawks.

Chicago State forced 24 turnovers and out-rebounded the Redhawks 39-35.
 
Seattle U falls to 13-16 (5-11 WAC). The Cougars finish the regular season 13-18 (8-8 WAC). Chicago State's 13 overall wins are the fourth most in a season for a CSU team since the Cougars joined NCAA Division I in 1984-85. The Cougars' eight conference wins are tied for the second most in a season as a Division I program.  
 
The WAC Tournament will be played at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. on March 13-15. CSU's first game is set for 8 p.m. CT on Thursday (March 13) against an opponent to be determined. Fans can listen to the game on WVON 1690 AM or watch through WACSports.tv.