The women’s basketball team enjoyed a significant advantage on the boards and forced 26 Western Washington turnovers to overcome a tough shooting night and defeat the Vikings, 67-59, Thursday night at the .
fell behind early, 11-4, after the first six minutes before going on a 16-2 run, started by consecutive three-pointers by Bianca Williams (, ) and Elle Kerfoot (, B.C.). Junior Cassidy Murillo (, ) scored seven of her 14 points during the run in her first game back since injuring her left knee in last season’s regular season game against .
In the second half, a jumper by Chelsie Morrison () put the Redhawks up by 16 (50-34) with 13 minutes remaining, but the Vikings came back with a 17-4 run to cut the home team’s advantage to three at 54-51 with 5:32 left in the half. Gabby Wade scored six points and Willow Cabe added five points during the run, while Claire Pallansch hit back-to-back baskets to bring the visitors within three.
A Murillo three-pointer snapped the run, and then scored six unanswered points on free throws to extend the lead to double digits again. For the game, the Redhawks shot 25-of-36 from the free throw line, led by Maggie McCarthy (), who shot 9-of-12 from the charity stripe on her way to a game-high 17 points, along with seven rebounds and three steals. Mercedes Alexander (, ) contributed ten points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Tatiana Heck () led the team with nine rebounds.
was led by Wade’s 13 points, while Jessica Summers notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Vikings were dominated on the boards, 53-38, but they stayed in the contest by forcing into 13 second half turnovers and 18.8 percent field goal shooting after halftime.
hosts () in its second exhibition game of the season Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 5 p.m. at the . The Redhawks start the regular season Friday, Nov. 14, at , with the first home game coming against Seattle Pacific Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.