The Seattle University women’s basketball team established itself quickly and never let up, posting a convincing 94-62 victory over San Jose State Sunday afternoon at Walt McPherson Court to earn the program’s first Division I victory since the university announced it was entering the reclassification process.
scored eight unanswered points in the first 1:07 of the game to take the early lead, and then used a 25-4 run over a nine-minute span midway through the first half to extend the advantage to 36-8. shot 64.9 percent from the field in the first half and finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field, including 8-of-15 from the three-point line.
Breanna Salley (East Bethel, Minn.), declared eligible to compete earlier this week after the NCAA granted a waiver of the year-in-residence rule due to extenuating circumstances, made an immediate impact off the bench, leading all players with 21 points and six rebounds, hitting 8-of-17 shots from the field, including all three attempts from behind the three-point line. Although she has been practicing with the team since enrolling at , this was her first game action since her time at the during the 2006-07 season.
Mercedes Alexander (, ) was 8-of-8 from the free throw line in earning 14 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Maggie McCarthy () posted a solid all-around game with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting along with four rebounds and three steals.
Chelsie Morrison (Portland, Ore.) also reached double figures with ten points, Cassidy Murillo (Yakima, Wash.) hit all three shots from behind the three-point line to contribute nine points, and freshman guards Jamie Johnson (Seattle, Wash.), Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.), and Bianca Williams (Torrance, Calif.) combined for 18 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and five steals.
The defense held scoreless for a six-minute span midway through the first half, followed by over three minutes with the Spartans not scoring a point late in the first half. committed 31 turnovers, which led to 42 Redhawk points, and shot only 38.5 percent from the field, including 2-of-12 from behind the three-point line, and 42.4 percent from the free throw line.
(0-4) was led by 15 points from Natalie White and 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals from Sayja Sumler. After a one-point heartbreaking loss to to open their season, the Spartans have lost to Northern Colorado, , and by an average of over 31 points per game.
(1-1) will return to and practice through the Thanksgiving holiday in preparation for its matchup against the in the first round of the Husky Classic Friday, Nov. 28, at the Bank of America Arena starting at 2 p.m. Justin Kesterson and Chris McCullough will broadcast the game live on GoSeattleU.com.