The Seattle University women’s basketball team pulled off a thrilling 75-74 victory over visiting North Dakota Saturday night in the Connolly Center, their seventh consecutive victory and tenth in the last 11 games.
Chelsie Morrison (Portland, Ore.) knocked down a free throw with less than five seconds remaining in the game to give Seattle University the one-point victory. Morrison finished the game with 22 points, but it was Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) who came up with the defensive steal that allowed Morrison to drive to the bucket and get the foul. Kerfoot finished the night with five points, five assists, and the lone steal. Breanna Salley (East Bethel, Minn.) again led all scorers with her 23 points and eight rebounds. Mercedes Alexander (Eugene, Ore.) just missed a double-double with ten points and eight boards.
Neither team was really able to establish themselves during the first half, as they both traded baskets throughout the half. Seattle held the largest lead of the half when Morrison hit a three-pointer with 7:19 remaining to give SU a 29-24 lead. North Dakota would fight back to tie the game at 36-36 going into the half.
The second half started poorly for the Redhawks, as North Dakota went on a 12-0 run to start the half. Seattle was able to claw their way back in the game behind the shooting of Morrison and Salley. After Tatiana Heck (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) hit a jumper to break the scoring drought, Seattle went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 48-45. Cassidy Murillo (Yakima, Wash.) tied the game back up at 50-50 with another three at the 14:26 mark.
After more back and forth action, it seemed as though North Dakota had sealed the game after going on a late run that put them up 74-69 with just 51 seconds remaining in the game. Again, Seattle University refused to give up and mounted another comeback after a pair of Morrison free throws. Salley tied the game again with just 25 seconds left after knocking down her third three-pointer of the game. Kerfoot then came up with the huge defensive steal to help put away North Dakota.
North Dakota (12-11) was led by their leading scorer Kierah Kimbrough, who had 20 points and seven boards. Jossy Bergan stepped up and had 11 points, and Danye Guinn caught fire in the second half, scoring 13 points and grabbing eight boards. Whitney Ledger came up big as she scored a double-double with ten points and ten boards. Despite the loss, North Dakota managed to shoot 48 percent from the field.
Seattle University (14-7) stays home for their next four games, including Monday night’s matchup with Houston Baptist, which tips off at 7 p.m. at the Connolly Center.