In their 2009-10 season opener, the Seattle University women’s basketball team fell 71-49 to UC Davis Friday evening in the Connolly Center. With the opening loss, the Redhawks fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Aggies improve to 1-0 on the year.
“We will learn from today’s game and work to get better,” said head coach Joan Bonvicini. “There were moments that were good and moments that were tough.”
In her first regular season contest at the helm of the SeattleU squad, Bonvicini’s team struggled to get a consistent offense rhythm. After getting an early 3-0 lead off a Tatiana Heck basket, the Aggies responded with an 11-5 run to take their first lead of the game. Despite letting UCD go on a short scoring spurt, the Redhawks stayed focused and slowly chipped away at the Aggie lead.
Maggie McCarthy assisted on Cassidy Murillo’s 3-pointer that brought the game to within three. Down 17-14, the Aggies began to panic with the ball and turned the it over two in consecutive possessions. With 8:17 left in the first, SU came within one off of two converted free throws from transfer Kourtney Parks. With the score 17-16 and momentum on their side, Davis continued to turn the ball over.
The SU surge was halted after UCD’s offense was reenergized and went on a 12-0 run to give them a double-digit point advantage. The Aggies continued on behind several strong plays deep in the key and were able to head into halftime with a 33-19 lead. With multiple scoring runs, Davis shot 50 percent in the first half, while the Redhawks struggled and shot 29.2 percent.
Davis extended their lead immediately by three entering the second half. They added three more baskets in their next two possessions to take a 23-point lead two minutes into the final half. In just under five minutes of play in the second half, UCD went on a 16-0 run, sinking 71.4 percent of their field goals.
SeattleU was able to get on the board for the first time in the second off an Ashley Brown basket. The senior’s field goal ignited the Redhawks for their first scoring run in the latter half. Julee Christianson followed Brown’s two-points with her first three of the year. She then grabbed a steal that caused the Davis offense to falter. Capitalizing on the Aggies offensive confusion, Brown knocked in a 3-pointer and followed with an additional basket. Sophomore Carley Butcher continued the Redhawk 11-0 run with her first points of the second half.
After a strong 11-point scoring drive, SU chipped down the Aggies lead to 20. After bringing the game to within 20, the Redhawks were unable to breakdown the substantial lead further.
Despite a tough day, where the offense was unable to stop a momentum-filled UC Davis team, the Redhawks saw several bright spots to build on. With their first game behind them, SU will look forward to hosting Concordia (Ore.) tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 14, in a 7 p.m. game in the Connolly Center.