BASKETBALL: Seattle University’s Umipig named WAC Player of the Week

After averaging over 20 points per game in helping the Seattle University men’s basketball team to three victories during the first week of December, redshirt junior guard Isiah Umipig has been named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, announced Monday morning by the conference office. Umipig is a Federal Way High School graduate.

December 9, 2013 1:59 pm
Federal Way High School graduate Isiah Umipig was named the WAC Player of the Week after averaging 20 points during three Seattle University victories.
Federal Way High School graduate Isiah Umipig was named the WAC Player of the Week after averaging 20 points during three Seattle University victories.

After averaging over 20 points per game in helping the Seattle University men’s basketball team to three victories during the first week of December, redshirt junior guard Isiah Umipig has been named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week, announced Monday morning by the conference office. Umipig is a Federal Way High School graduate.

On Dec. 2, Umipig scored a season-high 30 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field, including 6-of-11 from behind the 3-point line, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line as the Redhawks defeated the UC Davis Aggies, 77-53. It was the first 30-point performance by a Redhawk player in a single game since February 2012.

At Cal State Northridge Thursday night, Umipig collected 12 points, four rebounds and five assists in Seattle U’s 58-53 victory. With just 1:29 left in regulation, the Redhawks ahead by just one point, and the shot clock quickly winding down, Umipig launched a 3-point shot attempt that rattled in, giving Seattle U a cushion to play with the rest of the way. He also made two free throws in the final minute to help solidify the team’s first road win of the season.

Two nights later in a rematch with his former team, Umipig went 6-for-11 from the field, hitting four 3-pointers in the first half, and then he made four free throws late in the second half as the Redhawks defeated the Cal-State Fullerton Titans, 74-65. He also pulled down three rebounds and dished out four assists to help Seattle U win back-to-back road games for the first time since February 2011.

The 6-foot guard played two seasons at Fullerton after standout career at Federal Way. Umipig had to sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but practiced with the team.

At Fullerton, Umipig played in 61 games for the Titans over two seasons and was named the Big West Conference Sixth Man of the Year after the 2010-11 campaign. He started all 30 games he played in during the 2011-12 season, averaging 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game to pick up honorable mention All-Big West recognition.

For the week, Umipig averaged 20.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game for Seattle U. So far this season, he continues to lead the WAC with 18.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.89 made 3-pointers per game. He is also second in the league in minutes per game (33.67 mpg), tied for sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.50), and eighth in free throw percentage (.824).

The Seattle University men’s basketball team, currently 6-3, will take its show on the road for the third annual ShoWare College Classic Presented by Monster Energy Dec. 19 at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

The Redhawks will face Norfolk State of Virginia in a non-league matchup. Norfolk State plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and is 8-3 on the season. The Spartans two years ago beat Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 15 seed.

Tipoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. in Kent. Tickets are available the day of the game or by calling the ShoWare Center at (253) 856-6777.