In a heart-pounding Western Athletic Conference (WAC) battle, Tarleton State outlasted Seattle 67-64 on Saturday night behind Chris Mpaka’s standout two-way performance. The Texans’ victory shakes up the conference standings as both teams vie for postseason positioning.
Tarleton State leaned heavily on Mpaka, who dominated with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks. His defensive intensity stifled Seattle’s offense, particularly during a critical second-half surge. Dantwan Grimes added 16 points, sinking 11 of 13 free throws to seal the win, while Bubu Benjamin contributed 11 points and three steals.
Seattle’s John Christofilis led the Redhawks with 15 points, but the team struggled to contain Mpaka’s rim protection. Kobe Williamson (14 points) and Maleek Arington (10 points, six steals) kept the game tight with relentless defense, though late-game execution faltered.
“Mpaka’s five blocks shifted momentum,” analysts noted postgame. “His ability to erase shots allowed Tarleton to push the tempo.”
Key factors in the WAC clash included:
- Tarleton’s 78% free-throw accuracy (19/24)
- Seattle’s 12 steals forcing 18 turnovers
- Mpaka’s +/- of +14 in 33 minutes
Both teams face must-win scenarios next Saturday. Tarleton visits UT Arlington, while Seattle travels to Utah Valley. With the college basketball postseason looming, every WAC game carries amplified stakes.
This win positions Tarleton State (6-6 WAC) as a dark horse for a mid-conference tournament seed, while Seattle (5-6) must regroup defensively after allowing 44% shooting in the paint. Saturday’s outcomes could dictate seeding tiebreakers in March.