Seattle U nearly turned a difficult opening night into a road win. The Redhawks erased a 16-point first-half deficit at Hawaii, took the lead late and still lost 74–73 when Jaden Matingou hit the deciding jumper.

Seattle U’s official recap records a 33–17 deficit in the first half and a 73–70 Redhawk advantage with 1:15 remaining. Between those points, Seattle U did enough to change the entire direction of the game. The final minute changed it again.

The temptation is to make that final sequence the whole explanation. It deserves close attention, but the Redhawks also gave themselves a large repair job well before the ending.

Two scorers kept the comeback moving

Will Heimbrodt and Mason Williams finished with 20 points apiece. Halvine Dzellat added 10 points and 10 rebounds, giving Seattle U a double-double alongside its two leading scorers. The school’s account credits Williams with 15 first-half points as the Redhawks cut the deficit to eight at intermission.

That recovery changed the terms of the second half. Seattle U could work toward the lead rather than spend the entire evening chasing a double-digit margin. It also meant the last possessions were meaningful, which is an accomplishment even when the final result remains a loss.

There is no need to choose between acknowledging the comeback and examining why it was necessary. A useful review should preserve the things that brought Seattle U back while asking which early possessions made the climb so steep.

The final chances were real

The official Hawaii play-by-play shows Heimbrodt missing two free throws with 13 seconds remaining and Seattle U leading 73–72. Hawaii secured the rebound, called timeout and converted the possession that decided the game.

Heimbrodt’s late misses belong in the account, just as his 20 points belong in it. Reducing an entire performance to the last unsuccessful play would discard the scoring that helped create the opportunity. The better question is how Seattle U can give itself more ways to finish the next close game.

It is also a reminder that protecting a one-point lead involves more than taking time off the clock. Rebounding, foul shooting and the next defensive possession can each become decisive. Monday’s sequence offers specific material to revisit without pretending that a single different event guarantees a particular alternate ending.

The possession count needs attention

Hawaii’s official season statistics after the opener list Seattle U with 20 turnovers. The Redhawks nevertheless shot 50 percent from the field and made seven of 16 three-point attempts. Those figures describe a team that found productive shots but also lost a substantial number of opportunities to take one.

The turnover total does not identify every cause. It cannot, by itself, separate a rushed pass from a travel or a good defensive play. It does identify an obvious area for improvement before a team draws broad conclusions from its shooting percentages.

Seattle U’s schedule now brings Portland State to the Redhawk Center on Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. Pacific. Our homecoming game guide covers the visit. On the floor, a cleaner start and fewer empty possessions would be the most useful companions to the scoring that nearly rescued the opener.

Sources and attribution

Seattle U’s official recap; The official Hawaii play-by-play; Hawaii’s official season statistics; Seattle U’s schedule.

Cover image is illustrative basketball photography, not documentation of the players, venue or event discussed.