Down by 27 points early in the second half, the Seattle University women’s basketball team did not quit, bringing the deficit down to single digits before running out of time, as Portland State held on for an 86-75 victory Friday night at the Stott Center.
An 8-1 run early in the second half allowed Portland State to open a 64-37 advantage before Seattle University scored 13 unanswered points, capped by three-pointers from Cassidy Murillo (Yakima, Wash.) and Chelsie Morrison (Portland, Ore.). Seattle University came within 11 points five times, but could not come closer until a long three-pointer by Murillo with 1:27 remaining cut the Viking lead to 79-70. However, a three-pointer by Lexi Bishop and four free throws from Kelsey Kahle iced the game for Portland State.
Portland State (5-2) shot 60 percent from the field in the first half and used a couple of spurts to open its 20-point halftime advantage, First, with Seattle University up 9-7, the Vikings went on a 13-2 run to go on top, 20-11. After the Redhawks came within five with eight minutes remaining in the first half, Portland State scored 12 unanswered points over the next three minutes, and then went on a 13-6 run to end the half.
Four players scored in double figures for Seattle University, led by Morrison with 13 points along with four rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Murillo hit four three-pointers to finish with 12 points, plus she pulled down five rebounds and dished out three assists. Tatiana Heck (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) shot 6-of-9 from the field in scoring 12 points, and Mercedes Alexander (Eugene, Ore.) had another solid game with 11 points and six rebounds.
Kahle was nearly perfect for Portland State, shooting 11-of-12 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line to post 31 points. Kelli Valentine had a solid all-around game for the Vikings with 14 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, while Kelly Marchant contributed 10 points to the victory.
Seattle University shot 49.2 percent from the field, including 9-of-20 from behind the three-point line, but struggled from the free throw line, making only half of its 16 attempts from the charity stripe. Each team finished with 31 rebounds, and the Redhawks committed 16 of their 23 turnovers in the first half, while the Vikings had 13 of their 21 turnovers after halftime.
Seattle University (2-4) stays in the city for the weekend, facing the University of Portland Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Redhawks then return home to face Montana Tech Tuesday, Dec. 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Connolly Center.