Friday, March 15, 2024
by Evan O'Kelly, Assistant Commissioner For Communications

LOS ANGELES – A last-second 3-point attempt by Alaska Anchorage’s Hasaan Herrington came up short as No. 2 seed Cal State San Bernardino held off a persistent Seawolves squad 52-49 in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Region Championships on Friday afternoon at University Gym.

The No. 7 seed Seawolves trailed 50-49 with the ball and 16 seconds left on the clock, but a turnover proved costly as CSU San Bernardino’s Robby Robinson knocked down both ensuing free throws with four seconds left. That forced UAA into a desperation 3-point attempt, which the Coyotes defended well enough to advance to Saturday’s second round. The Coyotes improved to 24-7 on the season, and will face Chico State (21-8) on Saturday after the Wildcats bounced Montana State Billings 78-64 in the tournament opener earlier on Friday.

The Seawolves ended their 2023-24 campaign with a record of 22-11, earning a spot in their first regional since 2012 by virtue of advancing to last week’s GNAC Championships title game.

First-team all-GNAC guard Tyson Gilbert led his team with 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting, and collected five rebounds in his final game at UAA. Gilbert was the lone Seawolf to reach double figures in the low-scoring affair, with Dathan Satchell adding nine points off the bench and Dillon Barrientos finishing with eight. In a game where UAA was out-rebounded 36-29, Jaron Williams led the team with seven boards while adding seven points.

Christopher Mitchell paced the Coyotes with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Sedrick Altman reached double figures with a dozen points.

Both teams struggled with shooting accuracy, with UAA making 18 of 46 shots (39.1%) and CSUSB converting 17 of 46 shots (37.0%). While the Seawolves shot just 25.0% (6-for-24) from long range, the Coyotes shot a dismal 7.1% (1-for-14) but still found a winning formula. The teams were near-even in turnovers with UAA committing 10 and CSUSB 11, and were dead even in points in the paint with 24 apiece.

The Coyotes got off to a strong start, building their largest advantage of the afternoon at 19-8 at the 7:59 mark in the first half. UAA battled back however and trailed 26-21 at halftime, before pulling even at 34-34 six minutes into the second half. Neither team led by more than a single possession after that deadlock, but the Coyotes were able to sneak away with a hard-fought victory.

GAME NOTES: Friday was the second all-time meeting between the teams, who debuted as opponents in CSUSB’s 70-64 win in Honolulu on Dec. 18, 2023…the Seawolves also out-shot the Coyotes, 46.9%-42.1%, in the defeat earlier this season…UAA appeared in its 17th overall NCAA Championships tournament on Friday.