The Seattle University women’s basketball team held leads in both halves, but could not close the deal as Western Washington came from behind to earn the 58-52 victory Saturday night in GNAC action at Carver Gym.
jumped out to a 16-2 lead as Leah Stepovich (, ), earning her first start of the season, hit two three-pointers and Alysse Carlson (, ) and Quinn Brewe () each scored five points in the first four and a half minutes. scored the last 13 points of the first half to take a 28-25 lead into halftime, with Krista Lersch scoring six points during the run.
After falling further behind early in the second half, SeattleU recovered, scoring 15 straight points to take a 40-32 lead with 12:36 remaining in the half. The run was punctuated by another three-pointer from Stepovich and back-to-back three-pointers by Chelsie Morrison (). Again, the Vikings came back, scoring seven straight points to come within one and then, after trading points, taking the lead for good on a jumper by Claire Pallansch with 2:29 left in regulation.
Morrison led the Redhawks with 13 points, while Carlson finished with ten points and five steals and Stepovich scored nine points. Laina Sobczak () contributed eight points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocked shots, but the team shot only 35.4 percent from the field, was outrebounded 38-33, and committed 19 turnovers.
Pallansch led (7-16, 4-7 GNAC) with 13 points, while Lersch finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocked shots. The Vikings shot 38.5 percent from the field and also committed 19 turnovers, but used its rebounding advantage and its advantage at the free throw line, making five more free throws on eight more attempts than SeattleU, to earn the win.
(13-7, 4-7 GNAC) will have a week to prepare for Montana State Billings, as the Redhawks travel to face the Yellowjackets next Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m. local time. Montana State Billings defeated SeattleU, 75-66, on Jan. 19 at the .