SEATTLE (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive intensity and offensive inefficiency, the Seattle Redhawks methodically dispatched the visiting Washington State Cougars 69-55 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at a sparsely attended Key Arena.

The contest was never a display of offensive artistry. Instead, Seattle leveraged its superior defensive pressure and shot-making to build a commanding early lead and withstand a brief second-half push from the Cougars. The Redhawks improved to 12-3 on the season, while Washington State fell to 6-9.

The most pivotal stretch of the game came not in the final minutes, but in its opening sequences. Seattle established its defensive dominance immediately, setting a tone that would persist for all 40 minutes. On Washington State’s first possession, Seattle’s 7-foot center Austin Maurer blocked a hook shot from ND Okafor. On the Cougars’ next trip, Will Heimbrodt swatted a dunk attempt by Eemeli Yalaho. Before the first media timeout, the Redhawks had recorded three blocks and two steals, forcing Washington State into a series of missed shots and turnovers.

This defensive lockdown translated directly to the scoreboard. While the Cougars sputtered, missing their first eight field goal attempts and committing four early turnovers, Seattle patiently built a lead. A layup by Heimbrodt at the 15:32 mark opened the scoring, and the Redhawks never trailed. Brayden Maldonado’s 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer capped the first period, giving Seattle a 36-22 advantage and punctuating a half where Washington State shot a dismal 19 percent from the field and connected on only one of its 14 attempts from beyond the arc.

The statistical disparity from that first half proved insurmountable. For the game, Seattle’s defense was omnipresent, finishing with 12 steals and nine blocks. They converted 19 Washington State turnovers into 19 points. Offensively, the Redhawks were efficient if not prolific, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and a solid 41.7 percent from 3-point range. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 19 of 25 attempts.

Washington State’s struggles were comprehensive. The Cougars finished the game shooting 29.7 percent overall and a frigid 14.8 percent from 3-point range. Their offensive rating of 75.4 points per 100 possessions underscored a night of profound difficulty in generating clean looks. While they dominated the offensive glass with 21 rebounds, leading to 24 points in the paint, they could not overcome their 19 turnovers and a mere three assists for the entire game, a testament to Seattle’s disruptive defense.

Seattle’s effort was balanced. Brayden Maldonado led all scorers with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Jojo Murphy provided a spark off the bench with eight points, two assists, a block and three steals in just 16 minutes. The frontcourt duo of Will Heimbrodt and Austin Maurer anchored the defense, combining for six blocks, while Maurer added three assists.

For Washington State, Ace Glass III scored 13 points but needed 15 shots to get there. ND Okafor, the 6-foot-9 forward from Dundalk, Ireland, battled inside for 11 points and three blocks but was hampered by the team’s overall offensive stagnation.

The Cougars showed a flicker of life early in the second half, using a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to 37-29. However, Seattle responded with a 3-pointer from Miles Amos and never allowed Washington State within single digits again. The Redhawks maintained a double-digit cushion for the final 15 minutes, their lead ballooning to as many as 17 points.

The game’s outcome defied the pregame betting line, where Seattle was favored by 4.5 points, but the combined score of 124 fell well short of the over/under of 141, a direct result of the defensive struggle, particularly Washington State’s scoring woes.

Seattle now looks ahead to a challenging road test at Gonzaga on Friday. Washington State returns home to face Loyola Marymount on Friday, seeking to correct the offensive issues that plagued them in Seattle. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Pullman on Jan. 28.