Atherton, CA-Menlo Men's Basketball was coming off a tough loss against the #10 team in the nation, Arizona Christian. The Oaks battled for the full 40 minutes despite coming up just short by the final buzzer. Today marked an outstanding opportunity for head coach Rooney and company to get back to their winning ways. Thankfully they did just that in another down to the wire matchup that resulted in an 85-83 Oaks victory.
Another Day, Another Landon Seaman Gem
In 15 games the Oaks starting center is simply averaging 21.9 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game and shooting 63% from the floor. After being held under 20 points in his last two outings due to constant double teams and defensive attention, Seaman took it upon himself to remind everyone inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion that he is one of the top players in the conference. In 35 minutes of playing time Seaman scored 27 points including a huge "and-1" finish with under two minutes to play to push the Oaks lead to eight. He also pulled down a game high eight rebounds and handed out a game high five assists. In other words, whatever his team needed, the man in the middle was more than happy to oblige.
Big Time Shots From Big Time Players
While Seaman filled up the statsheet he was far from Menlo's lone bright spot. Braydon Iuli put together one of his best scoring performances of the year. In under 30 minutes of playing time Iuli began to take the game over in the second half where he scored 13 of his 22 points. He not only deployed his patented physicality at the rim as a finisher but had his best shooting performance of the year hitting three shots from behind the arc at a 50% clip.
Senior guard Kaito Williams also came up clutch with his shooting from behind the arc and late game shot making. Williams was dialed in from three hitting four triples including step backs and designed plays for the combo guard. Yet the most important of his 16 points came with 36 seconds on the clock. As time winded down, with only a three point lead, coach Rooney called Williams' number as the senior took OUAZ's Jacob Henry one on one at the top of the key. Williams would drive, rise up at the free throw line and knockdown the midrange jumper that helped seal the victory for Menlo.
Overall, it was a great shooting night for the Oaks who have been one of the most efficient offensives in the country. By the time the final buzzer sounded Menlo produced shooting splits of 51% from the floor and 48% from three. When shots are falling for this team they can put up points with the best of them.
Up Next…
At 1-1 Menlo faces a big upcoming road trip with Hope International and Vanguard on deck. Last season the team split the season series with the Lions while dropping both games to the Royals. This is a Menlo team that is starting to find its rhythm and will without a doubt be looking to enact some payback for losses from last year.
