"It was a tale of two halves," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "I think we played very hesitant and it wasn't until the middle of the second half we really loosened up and started competing. Our team is learning a lot and they are growing."
"I really like what we showed in the second half, and our fight and intensity. We came back and outrebounded them and took care of the ball. Those are things we need to build on," concluded Bonvicini.
The first half was forgettable, as the Redhawks struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Seattle U shot 20 percent (4-for-20) from the field, seeing a pair of three-pointers and five free throws account for their 15 first half points. The opening minutes of the half saw the lead within reach for SU, but with 8:46 left the Highlanders were able to capitalize on the Redhawks four minute scoring drought to take a double-figure lead into halftime, 32-15.
UC Riverside took off on a 12-0 run to open the second half. Up by 29 points, 44-15, with 17:39 remaining regulation their offense began to settle. The Redhawks offensive game plan began to come together, as they went on their own 12-2 run, behind four points from senior Tatiana Heck (Lynnwood, Wash.).
Behind their scoring flurry and strong defensive efforts, SU made it a 20 point game. As play progressed to the 10 minute mark, UCR's scoring efforts began to pick up as they countered with an 8-0 run of their own.
Inside 10 minutes, SU's offense picked up again behind the efforts of the Redhawk captains Heck and Kerfoot. Seattle U went on a 10-0 run in just under five minutes of action, with Heck tallying three points and Kerfoot adding four.
With 2:57 remaining in the contest, Kerfoot slammed in a three-pointer to bring SU within 15 and make it a 59-44 game. Heck then was sent to the charity stripe, being fouled on an offensive rebound, making both her free throw baskets. On the other end of the court, Riverside's Leah Washington was sent to the free throw line 11 seconds later and made both her charity stripe shots. With 1:51 left, freshman Kacie Sowell, who made her first career start, went to grab down an offensive board and was fouled. Sowell would be sent to the line and make her pair of free throws. She would then add SU's next points in her only basket from the field, but the Highlander's Ebony Armstrong countered with a jumper of her own. Kerfoot would go on to score back-to-back baskets and freshman Sylvia Shephard (Alta Loma, Calif.) added two points to bring the Redhawks within in nine with 21 seconds left in the game, but Riverside was able to run the clock out on their next possession to conclude the game.
In the game, SU shot 32 percent (16-for-50) from the field, going 12-for-30 in the second half. The Redhawks were 61.8 percent (21-for-34) from the free throw line. Seattle U outrebounded UC Riverside 39 to 37.
In addition to Kerfoot's 19 points, Heck had 13 points and five rebounds in 37 minutes of work. Sowell was the team's top rebounder with seven boards, while fellow freshman Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) was nearly perfect from the free throw line, going 9-for-10.
Seattle U will look to earn their first win of the 2010-11 campaign on Sunday, Nov. 21, at the University of San Diego. Tip time is slated for 2 p.m.