Ashley Brown (Kirkland, Wash.) was fouled twice in a 27-second span, hitting all four free throws to give SeattleU a 59-58 lead with nine seconds left. Keyonna Johnson was able to convert on a layup for UC Irvine, and Samantha Messersmith's (Harold, Calif.) desperation shot as time ran out was off the mark, giving the home team the victory.
Tatiana Heck (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) led Seattle University with 16 points, while Carley Butcher (Pitt Meadows, B.C.) went 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free throw line for 15 points. Brown finished with nine points, four rebounds, and four assists, but struggled in the shooting department, hitting only 2-of-14 shots from the field, including 1-of-9 from behind the three-point line.
UC Irvine (2-6) jumped on top, 18-5, in the first 11 minutes of the contest. SeattleU cut its deficit to five points over the next four and a half minutes, and after the Anteaters scored the next four points, closed out the first half with six unanswered points thanks to consecutive baskets by Butcher and a jumper from Cassidy Murillo (Yakima, Wash.).
After allowing the first three points of the second half, the Redhawks took the lead with four points from Heck and a three-pointer by Murillo. UC Irvine eventually pulled ahead by seven at 50-43 with 8:25 left in the second half, but a three-pointer by Maggie McCarthy (Burlingame, Calif.) and a Heck jumper over the next two minutes cut the home team's advantage again to two points, and the two teams exchanged points until the final stretch.
McCarthy contributed seven points and six rebounds before fouling out, and Murillo finished with six points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. SeattleU shot 35.3 percent from the field, including 3-of-18 from behind the three-point line, and 64.5 percent (20-of-31) from the free throw line. The Redhawks won the rebounding battle, 43-41, but committed 21 turnovers.
Jade Smith-Williams led UC Irvine with 13 points and four assists, while Jazmyne White notched a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson finished with 10 points as the Anteaters shot 38.3 percent from the field, including 4-of-18 from behind the three-point line, and 10-of-19 from the free throw line.
Seattle University (2-8) will start a three-game homestand with the renewal of the crosstown rivalry against the University of Washington Wednesday, Dec. 9, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Connolly Center. Only general admission tickets are available for the game by calling (206) 296-2835, and live stats as well as an audio broadcast will be available on GoSeattleU.com.