With Brown in the offensive driver's seat, SU shot 45.5 percent on the day. The Kirkland, Wash. native scored a career-high 23 points, including five 3-pointers for the third consecutive game. Brown was 9-for-18 from the field, had six defensive rebounds, a block and a steal in 29 minutes on the floor.
"I am just very proud of the team," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "It has been very difficult having eight games in two weeks. We have worked very hard, but it hasn't always shown up in the win column. We are very inspired today. We worked very hard, never gave up and we had good teamwork off the bench. We played very smart versus a very good Milwaukee team."
The Redhawks came into the game with fervor and desire in their eyes. For the first time this season, they did not allow the opposing team to gather a double-digit lead on them. Milwaukee only garnered a nine point advantage once with 10:32 left in the game, but Seattle, who shot 50 percent in the second half was able to silence the Panther momentum to go onto get their first win of the year.
In the first half, senior Cassidy Murillo kicked off the game with her first of two behind the arc baskets, but UWM responded with a 16-5 run to take an eight point lead at 12:39 in the first half. Despite letting the Panther's collect the game's momentum, SU remained composed and chipped away at Milwuakee's lead. Sophomore Maggie McCarthy turned the energy to the Redhawks with a 3-pointer to bring the game within three. The Wisconsin-based team then made a jumper, but a foul and two converted free throws from Murillo brought the game within three again.
UWM's Jodie McClain then missed her 3-point jumper and Brown brought down the rebound. Murillo took the ball down the court and tied the game at 18 with a 3-pointer of her own. SeattleU followed the pivotal behind the arc basket with a 12-5 run to head into halftime with a 32-23 lead.
Down by nine points, Panther's came out of the gate in the second half with a newfound scoring rhythm. They took control of the score with a 23-8 scoring run behind 11 points from Ashley Imperiale.
Milwaukee looked to gain their composure with their 49-40 lead on the Redhawks, but like the little engine that could, SU persisted and chopped down UWM's lead with consecutive baskets from junior Tatiana Heck and a pair of 3-pointers from Brown. Behind the 10-0 SeattleU scoring run, they were able to take the point advantage, which they never relinquished.
At 5:56, Milwaukee threatened Seattle's lead by tying the game at 53-all, but Brown countered with a 3-pointer and followed with 11 insurance points to seal SU's first victory.
With a thrilling first win for first season head coach Bonvicini, the Redhawks look to carry that momentum into a midweek matchup with Pacific Lutheran University. SU will take on the Lutes in a 7 p.m. game at the Connolly Center on Tuesday, Dec. 1.