SEATTLE, WASHINGTON STATE SET FOR REMATCH IN NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Interstat) — The Seattle Redhawks and Washington State Cougars will meet for the second time this season, facing off in a nonconference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Beasley Coliseum.

Seattle (14-8) enters with the stronger overall record and won the first matchup decisively, 69-55, at home on Dec. 30. Washington State (9-13) will look to even the season series and build momentum from a 95-79 home victory over Pepperdine last Saturday.

The game features a compelling backcourt matchup between two of the West Coast Conference’s top scorers. Seattle’s Brayden Maldonado is averaging 16.4 points over his last five games, including a 20-point effort in a narrow 56-54 loss at Pacific on Jan. 24. The guard torched the Cougars for 15 points in 30 minutes during the December win.

Washington State will counter with Ace Glass III, who is on a scoring tear. The guard is averaging 22.3 points over his last three contests, highlighted by a 29-point performance in a 96-92 loss at San Diego on Jan. 21. Glass was held to 13 points in the first meeting with Seattle.

The Redhawks have struggled recently away from home, losing four of their last five road games. Their defense, however, has been a constant, holding opponents under 70 points in 15 of their 22 games. They limited Washington State to 32.8% shooting in the December victory.

The Cougars have shown offensive firepower, scoring 80 or more points in six games, but have been inconsistent defensively, allowing an average of 79.2 points during their current 3-7 stretch.

For Seattle, forward Will Heimbrodt is coming off a nine-point, three-assist, three-block game against Pacific. Washington State’s Simon Hildebrandt provides an interior presence, scoring 19 points off the bench against Pepperdine.

Following this game, Washington State resumes WCC play at home against Portland on Saturday. Seattle’s next contest is also in conference, hosting Pepperdine on Feb. 4.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Wednesday at Beasley Coliseum.