ROCKLIN, CA – Menlo Men's Basketball showcased their competitive spirit in a closely contested matchup against the Bobcats of UC Merced during Day 1 of the Bill Holtz Classic at Jessup University. Despite a dominant first-half performance, the Oaks ultimately fell short, 57-64.
Oak Standouts
Several Oaks stepped up with impressive individual performances:
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Landon Seaman: The forward was a force in the paint, leading the team with 18 points on 8-for-17 shooting. He also grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds, including 7 on the defensive end, and added a block. Seaman's energy and ability to finish inside were pivotal in Menlo's dominant first-half showing.
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Preston Le Gassick: The guard provided a scoring spark, dropping 13 points, including two clutch three-pointers. Le Gassick also dished out 3 assists, showing his ability to both score and create for his teammates. His effort on both ends helped keep the Oaks competitive throughout the game.
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Kareem Rowe: Rowe showed poise under pressure, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, finishing with 8 points. He also pulled down 6 rebounds and played a key role in keeping Menlo in the game during pivotal moments.
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Nick Davidson: Davidson chipped in 7 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while leading the team with 4 assists. His court vision and steady presence helped the Oaks move the ball effectively in the first half.
Seaman and Le Gassick Lead the Charge
Landon Seaman and Preston Le Gassick led the Oaks' offense, combining for 31 of the team's 57 points. Seaman's aggressive play in the paint set the tone early, while Le Gassick delivered clutch shooting from beyond the arc. In the first half, Menlo shot an impressive 50% from the field, capitalizing on efficient ball movement and high-percentage looks to take a commanding lead into halftime.
However, UC Merced adjusted their defensive strategy in the second half, limiting Menlo to just 7 field goals on 23 attempts. While Seaman continued to battle in the post, UC Merced's defensive pressure disrupted the Oaks' rhythm, resulting in 9 second-half turnovers. The Bobcats also out-rebounded the Oaks 44-31, including 17 offensive boards that led to critical second-chance points. Despite the loss, Landon Seaman's performance inches himself closer to making Menlo Men's Basketball history by surpassing 1,000 career points, something that the Oaks look forward to celebrating once achieved.
Up Next….
The Oaks will look to bounce back tomorrow, on Saturday, November 16th, as they face Simpson University at 4:30pm in Day 2 of the Bill Holtz Classic.
