SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Seattle Redhawks used a strong second half to defeat the San Diego Toreros 75-64 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at Key Arena. Seattle led 33-24 at halftime before both offenses improved after the break. The Redhawks shot 48.1% from the floor overall and made 8 of 20 from 3-point range. Jun Seok Yeo and Brayden Maldonado each scored 18 points to lead Seattle, which improved to 13-6. San Diego, which fell to 7-12, was led by Ty-Laur Johnson’s 18 points. The Toreros shot 38.3% from the field and were outscored 42-40 in the second half despite a more efficient offensive period. Attendance was 978.

SEATTLE (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and offensive struggles, the Seattle Redhawks methodically pulled away from the San Diego Toreros for a 75-64 victory in a nonconference men’s basketball game Thursday night at a sparsely attended Key Arena. The contest, played before an announced crowd of 978, never achieved a consistent offensive flow. Both teams combined for 29 turnovers and shot under 40% from the field for long stretches. The difference ultimately came down to Seattle’s superior efficiency in its half-court sets and its ability to capitalize at the free-throw line down the stretch. San Diego’s Ty-Laur Johnson, a guard from Brooklyn, New York, provided nearly all of his team’s offensive spark, finishing with 18 points and nine assists in 37 minutes. His backcourt mate, Juanse Gorosito of Santa Fe, Argentina, added 11 points, all of which came in crucial bursts to keep the Toreros within striking distance. For Seattle, balance was key. Jun Seok Yeo, a forward from Seoul, South Korea, and guard Brayden Maldonado of Anchorage, Alaska, each scored 18 points. Yeo’s interior presence and Maldonado’s perimeter shooting proved a persistent challenge for San Diego. Will Heimbrodt of San Anselmo, California, contributed 10 points and two blocks, while local product John Christofilis of Seattle chipped in 11 points off the bench. The most critical phase of the game occurred midway through the second half, transforming a narrow Seattle lead into a comfortable cushion. Leading 49-46 with just over 11 minutes remaining, the Redhawks embarked on a decisive 10-2 run over the next three minutes. The surge was fueled by defensive stops and efficient offense. It began with Yeo converting a tough layup while being fouled and making the ensuing free throw. After a San Diego turnover, Maldonado hit a smooth jumper. Following another Torero miss, Heimbrodt finished at the rim off a feed from Maldonado, pushing the lead to 55-46. The run was capped by a pair of free throws from Yeo, extending the advantage to 59-48 with 8:10 to play. San Diego, which fell to 7-12 with the loss, never recovered from that stretch. The Toreros, who shot just 38.3% from the field for the game, could not muster a sustained counter-run. They managed to cut the deficit to nine points on several occasions but could get no closer, as Seattle consistently answered with a score or secured a key defensive rebound. The first half set the tone for the rugged evening. Seattle led 33-24 at the break despite shooting only 41% from the field. San Diego’s offensive woes were more pronounced, as the Toreros connected on just 9 of 30 first-half attempts. Johnson kept his team afloat with 10 first-half points, but the Toreros’ six assists against nine turnovers illustrated their disjointed play. Seattle improved its shooting in the second half, making 15 of 28 attempts, and sealed the game at the foul line. The Redhawks attempted 25 free throws, making 17, compared to San Diego’s 14 attempts. In the final five minutes, Seattle scored 10 of its points from the charity stripe to extinguish any lingering hope of a Torero comeback. Statistically, the game was a tale of two offenses operating at different levels of effectiveness. While both teams had nearly identical numbers of possessions, Seattle’s offensive rating of 104.3 dwarfed San Diego’s mark of 88.1. The Redhawks also held advantages in field goal percentage (48.1% to 38.3%) and three-point percentage (40% to 29.2%). With the win, Seattle improved its record to 13-6 and will look ahead to a West Coast Conference showdown against Gonzaga on Saturday. San Diego, mired in a difficult season, will seek to rebound quickly at home against Bethesda on Saturday.

Preview: San Diego Toreros at Seattle Redhawks SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Seattle Redhawks look to solidify their strong start to the season when they host the struggling San Diego Toreros in a non-conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Key Arena. Seattle (12-6) enters having dropped three straight, including a 68-55 loss at Oregon State on Jan. 8, but has been strong at home with a 6-1 record. The Redhawks will rely on guard Brayden Maldonado, who is averaging 13.8 points over his last eight games. He scored 17 points in a narrow overtime loss at Gonzaga on Jan. 2. San Diego (7-11) seeks to halt a two-game skid after falling 77-70 at Pacific last Saturday. The Toreros have been reliant on the dynamic play of guard Ty-Laur Johnson, who has been a consistent offensive force. Over his last seven games, Johnson is averaging 18.1 points and 5.9 assists per contest, including a 19-point, 7-assist performance in the loss to Pacific and a 14-point, 10-assist double-double in a win over Pepperdine on Jan. 8. The Toreros have struggled on the road this season, posting a 2-6 record away from home. Their defense will be tested by a Seattle team that has scored 70 or more points in nine of its 12 victories. This matchup serves as a final non-conference tune-up for both programs before resuming their respective league schedules. Seattle opens West Coast Conference play at home against Gonzaga on Saturday. San Diego’s next outing is at home against Washington State on Jan. 21. Thursday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. PST.