Gophers Breeze Past Seattle
December 19, 2014

The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team encountered another lesser-known hoops team in Seattle University at Williams Arena before 12,121 fans and easily swatted the Redhawks by the score of 92 to 57.

This was not your father’s Seattle basketball program that once boasted the likes of the fabled Elgin Baylor and the O’Brien twins. None were available to suit up against the Gophers. Seattle has gone through decades of tough times and now labors in what is left of the once-proud Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The WAC no longer exists as a football conference and, for basketball, lists small-time teams ranging in a geographic area from Chicago to Bakersfield.

The current Seattle University team did nothing to enhance the image of the WAC when their starters took the floor, and it appeared they either (1) forgot to shed their warmup apparel or (2) were wearing their practice uniforms. The result could only be described as a mishmash of red and black colors.

Seattle looked to be every bit of a ragtag team and played the Gophers accordingly. A successful jump shot by Maurice Walker gave Minnesota a 16-7 lead, and whatever basketball talents the Redhawks possessed vanished. A three-point basket by Carlos Morris made it 31-15. Seattle coach Cameron Dollar, extremely animated and vocal early on, settled into his seat and watched the carnage. Minnesota led by 43 to 21 at the half. Morris had 14 points at the break.

In the second half, a Nate Mason hit a free throw to make it 68-38, and coach Richard Pitino began substituting liberally, allowing Mali-born freshman Bakary Konate to score nine points. Newcomer Gaston Diedhou, however, was not called upon. Walk-on Mike Lukashewich did log four minutes of action but did not score. Lukashewich wore No. 30, previously thought to be retired in honor of former Gopher great Chuck Mencel.

When the lead reached 85-48, many of those in attendance had filed out, alleviating potential traffic jams on University Avenue. Morris finished with 19 points. Three Gophers. Andre Hollins, Walker, and Mason chipped in with 15 each. Seattle reserve Jadon Cohee led the Redhawks with 14 points.

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