Seattle U's March Heartbreak: Auburn Stuns Redhawks in NIT Second Round
Seattle U's tournament run came to a grinding halt Sunday in Auburn, Alabama. The Redhawks fell 91-85 to the Tigers in the NIT second round, and just like that, their season was over. Auburn improved to 19-16 and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals where they'll face Nevada.
Auburn's Balanced Attack Too Much to Handle
This wasn't some fluke loss. Auburn came to play, and they had multiple guys hitting shots when it mattered. Kevin Overton led the charge with 23 points, shooting 7 of 13 from the field and going 4 for 9 from three-point range. He was unconscious in the second half, dropping 16 points to ice the game. Elyjah Freeman wasn't far behind, adding 19 points and seven rebounds on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting night, including 4 for 5 from beyond the arc. Sebastian Williams-Adams rounded out the hot shooting with 15 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field.
When three different guys are hitting like that, you're basically done before tipoff. Auburn led 42-31 at halftime, and despite Seattle U's second half push, it wasn't enough to close the gap.
Brayden Maldonado's Best Wasn't Enough
Seattle U (21-14) had their moments. Brayden Maldonado was fantastic with 25 points and five assists, keeping the Redhawks within striking distance. Junseok Yeo chipped in 13 points and six rebounds, and John Christofilis also scored 13 off the bench. Even Keyshawn Hall contributed nine points in the first half.
But here's the thing about the NIT: every game is elimination. There's no second chances, no "we'll get them next time." Auburn's depth and shooting prowess in that second half was just too much for Seattle U to overcome.
The Redhawks fought, but it wasn't their day. That's basketball sometimes, especially in March.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.