The Seattle University women’s basketball team recovered from a slow start to get back into the game, but Cal State Bakersfield hit enough shots in the second half to pull away with an 83-62 victory Friday night at the Icardo Center.
Seattle University came within three points twice in the first three minutes of the second half, but Katie Williams hit two straight three-pointers in scoring eight straight points to give Cal State Bakersfield a 50-39 advantage. The Roadrunners put the game away with a 16-6 run, punctuated by six points from Shawnee Carter.
Breanna Salley (East Bethel, Minn.) led Seattle University with 15 points, while Mercedes Alexander (Eugene, Ore.), in the starting lineup for the fourth time this season, earned her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) finished with nine points, Bianca Williams (Torrance, Calif.) contributed seven points, and Chelsie Morrison (Portland, Ore.) pulled down eight rebounds to go along with five points and three assists..
Cal State Bakersfield (9-7) jumped out to a 14-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game, but back-to-back three-pointers by Bianca Williams started SeattleU on an 8-0 run that brought the Redhawks within four at 18-14. A 15-6 run by Seattle University gave the visitors a 29-28 advantage with 4:23 remaining in the first half, but the Roadrunners ended the half by outscoring the Redhawks, 11-4, for a 39-33 halftime lead.
Four players scored in double figures for the Roadrunners, led by Katie Williams with 17 points. Christine Kepenekian notched a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, Morgan Saso finished with 12 points and three blocked shots, and Phynique Allen contributed ten points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals.
Seattle University shot only 32.9 percent from the field, including 5-of-26 from the three-point line, and committed 25 turnovers. Meanwhile, Cal State Bakersfield shot 45.5 percent from the field, scored 28 points off turnovers, and hit 18-of-26 attempts from the free throw line. SeattleU did win the rebounding battle, 46-42, including 23 offensive rebounds, and hit 13-of-18 shots from the charity stripe.
Seattle University (7-7) heads to Texas for a matinee against Houston Baptist Sunday, Jan. 11, beginning at 3 p.m. Central time (1 p.m. Seattle time). After a trip to Puerto Rico for two games next weekend, SeattleU returns home for its first home Division I game against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Saturday, Jan. 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Connolly Center.