Division I Season Opener: The Redhawks are currently in year two of their four-year transition into full Division I status. The 2009-10 season will be the first year that Seattle University will fully compete at the DI level. During the Redhawks reclassification period, they will not be eligible for the NCAA Championships.
On Deck: SeattleU will hit the road for the Purdue Basketball Travelers Tournament in West Lafayette, Ind. It will be SU's first road trip and tournament of the year. SU will open up the weekend with host Purdue at 2 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 20. The following day they will take on Georgetown in a 4 p.m. PT game and close out the weekend on Sunday, Nov. 21, with Dayton at 10:15 a.m. PT.
Scouting UC Davis: The Aggies of UC Davis open their 2009-10 campaign on the road at SeattleU. In their only exhibition contest they defeated Humbolt State 83-73 on Nov. 5, at home. Leading the Northern California based squad in the preseason was Heidi Heintz, who scored a team-leading 23 points in 26 minutes on the floor. She also added five rebounds, three steals and an assist.
UCD is coming off an 11-18 overall season and a 7-9 Big West record. Paige Mintum led Davis last year, as she averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. In 28 games played, she scored a team-leading 363 points. The Aggies lost Genevive Costello, who averaged 7.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
Head coach Sandy Simpson returns for his 13th season at his alma mater. Simpson brings a young team to the Pacific Northwest, as nine of his 14-player roster are underclassmen.
The Redhawks defeated UC Davis in their last meeting on Dec. 30, 65-59. Senior Chelsi Morrison led SeattleU in Davis, Calif. with 16 points in 37 minutes of work. Redhawk newcomer Breanna Salley was a strong defensive pillar for SU with 12 rebounds. She also tallied 14 points and two steals.
Scouting Concordia (Ore.): Behind their season opening 66-52 victory over William Jessup, Concordia heads to Seattle. Prior to playing the Redhawks, the Cavaliers will take on Western Oregon on Nov. 11.
Ann Snodderly led the CU offense versus William Jessup, with 14 points. She posted four rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes of action. Mariah Ladd was the team's top defender in the season opener with five rebounds and a steal.
The Cavaliers enter their fourth season under head coach Aaron Christian. In 2008-09, CU went 29-4 overall and 18-2 Cascade Collegiate Conference. They went to the NAIA second round last year.
It has been over 10 years since SU has taken on Concordia. In their last meeting on Nov. 11, 1995 the Redhawks defeated then-their fellow NAIA opponent 82-60.
Saint Martin's • Exhibition Game #2: A tale of two halves best described the Redhawks final exhibition contest versus Saint Martin's University on Nov. 7. After heading into halftime with only a 33-26 lead, SeattleU entered the second half ignited.
After shooting 44.8% in the first half, they improved their field goal percentage to 55.2% in the final half. Junior Tatiana Heck led the Redhawks with 14 points in 21 minutes of action.
Sophomore Maggie McCarthy scored 13 points and added four rebounds for 28 minutes of work, while senior Cassidy Murillo added six points in a team-leading 30 minutes on the floor.
Northwest • Exhibition Game #1: Behind 18 points from sophomore Maggie McCarthy, the Seattle University women's basketball team soundly defeated Northwest University 75-54 in their first exhibition contest on Nov. 3. The Redhawks displayed their dominance on all ends of the floor.
Bonvicini's team saw contributions throughout the lineup, including a triumphant return to the court from senior Ashley Brown. The forward, who missed the 2008-09 season with an injury, found her rhythm on the floor immediately. The Kirkland, Wash. native went on to score 15 points in the contest, for second-best on the night. She had 14 points in the first half alone, and scored a team-leading four 3-pointers. In addition to being a force down low, she had eight rebounds and six steals in 25 minutes of action.