"We are team that plays very hard and we need to channel our energy," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "We did a very good job defensively, holding this team way under their average of 73, but there are two things we have to do better: execute offensively, by getting to the free throw line more and protect the ball, and we need to score."
For the second consecutive game, the Redhawks kept the game close with their opponent, this time throughout the contest. Top-scorer Ashley Brown (Kirkland, Wash.) kicked off the game with back-to-back three's in the first minute-and-a-half of play, but Boise State tied the game at six-all nearly two minutes later. Behind six points from Tasha Harris, BSU went on an 8-6 run to gain a slight point advantage over the Redhawks. Junior Tatiana Heck (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) equalized the score at 14 and sophomore Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) responded with back-to-back jumpers. Behind their short point cushion, SU looked to find more flow on the floor as they held the Broncos scoreless for nearly two full minutes of play.
With five-and-a-half minutes left in the first period, SeattleU posted a four point lead. Brown added a third 3-point jumper to take the Redhawks to a 23-19 advantage. After garnering the two-basket lead, the Broncos went on a 7-0 run to head into halftime with a 26-23 lead.
The final half remained close and Boise State came out much more aggressive and worked to preserve their lead, but SU continually chipped away at the slowly growing BSU lead. Maggie McCarthy (Burlingame, Calif.) tied the game at 41-all at 9:33. A minute-and-a-half later, Kerfoot converted one of her two free throws to get SeattleU's first lead of the second half; however Boise State immediately countered with a jumper from Rebecca Kepilino.
Senior Cassidy Murillo (Yakima, Wash.) evened the score again with a basket from the charity stripe, but Kepilino responded with a 3-pointer to take a two-point Bronco lead. Kerfoot then fouled Jessica Van Hoogen and she extended the BSU lead to four with a pair of free throws. Keeping the game within a jumper's reach, Murillo knocked in a baseline basket, but it was immediately countered as Janie Bos added a jumper of her own to make it a four point game.
With 3:27 remaining in the game, the Redhawks were down 51-45. After cutting down the home squad's lead, they were unable to get solid scoring opportunities and a pair of fouls allowed on SU began a 5-0 Bronco run.
At 1:34 Kerfoot was fouled while shooting and she cut the lead down by two, to 56-47. The Bronco's Harris made a 10 point game just outside of a minute, with a shot from the charity stripe and back-to-back missed jumpers by the Redhawks solidified the Idaho-based squad's victory. SeattleU's Achilles heal was their inability to outrebound the Broncos. BSU managed to grab down 50 boards, while holding SU to 31 and only 10 offensive rebounds.
On the game, Kerfoot was the first Redhawk this season to earn a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. Brown scored a team-leading 18 points, while McCarthy's stats came in fours - in boards, points and assists.
SU will take a short break for Christmas before reuniting in California for a pair of games. The Redhawks will square off with Cal Poly on Tuesday, Dec. 29, in a 2 p.m. game. The following day, SU wil