Seattle U pulls away late to defeat Portland 71-59 in key West Coast Conference matchup

Seattle U strengthens its conference position with a home win over Portland

Seattle U defeated Portland 71-59 on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Redhawk Center in Seattle, a result that reshaped a tightly packed middle tier of the West Coast Conference (WCC) standings as the regular season moved toward its final stretch.

The Redhawks led 29-20 at halftime and maintained control throughout the second half, extending the margin with a combination of perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities. Seattle U did not trail after taking the lead in the opening minutes, finishing the night at 17-12 overall and 6-10 in WCC play, while Portland fell to 12-17 overall and 5-11 in conference play.

Balanced scoring and efficient possessions tilt the game

Seattle U received 14 points apiece from Austin Maurer and John Christofilis, with Christofilis connecting on four 3-pointers. Maurer added five rebounds. Will Heimbrodt contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, doing much of his scoring at the free-throw line.

Portland was led by Joel Foxwell with 20 points and three steals, while James O’Donnell scored 14. Jermaine Ballisager Webb added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Team-level indicators underscored the difference in efficiency. Seattle U committed fewer turnovers and generated more offensive rebounds, helping the Redhawks create additional shot volume even as both teams shot below 40% from the field.

• Halftime score: Seattle U 29, Portland 20
• Top scorers: Maurer (SEA) 14, Christofilis (SEA) 14, Foxwell (POR) 20
• Key rebounding edge: Seattle U’s offensive rebounding rate significantly exceeded Portland’s

How the game turned on extra possessions and free throws

Seattle U’s ability to sustain possessions was central. The Redhawks collected nine offensive rebounds and turned those opportunities into second-chance points or trips to the foul line. Portland, by contrast, recorded only two offensive rebounds, limiting its margin for error in a game where points were difficult to manufacture.

Portland also faced a high turnover burden, which reduced shot attempts and disrupted any sustained comeback threat. Seattle U’s steadier ball security—paired with timely 3-point shooting—helped the Redhawks keep Portland at arm’s length after the break.

Seattle U’s combination of lower turnover rate and stronger offensive rebounding created a possession advantage that proved decisive over 40 minutes.

What it means heading toward tournament seeding

The win carried added weight given the congestion around the WCC’s middle seeds. Seattle U and Portland entered the matchup with similar conference records, and the result created separation as teams jockeyed for position ahead of the WCC Tournament. For Portland, the loss also interrupted a recent competitive stretch that included a one-point win over Seattle U earlier in February.

Both programs remain in the final phase of conference play, where single results can materially affect bracket placement and potential matchups in Las Vegas.