"We played a very good team," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "We (will) keep battling and we are going to come back and get some wins here."
Bowling Green grabbed down the opening tip to take an early offensive possession, but it was SU's Kerfoot who slammed in the game-opening points with a three from the corner. After conceding an early three-pointer, the Falcon offense would respond with a 7-0 run, pushing a fast paced tempo that SU struggled to find establish rhythm in.
Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) snapped the Redhawks three minute scoring drought adding a pair of free throws and Salena Dickerson (Federal Way, Wash.) would follow by giving Seattle U an 8-7 lead five minutes into the game. Seattle U held BGSU scoreless for nearly the next three minutes, before Jessica Slagle sent a three from downtown to give the Falcons a 9-8 lead with under 14 to go in the first half. SU was unable to take advantage of their strong defensive efforts during that time, as they did not add to their one point advantage before Bowling Green got on the board next.
As played headed inside 12 minutes, both sides began to play much more aggressive on the defensive end. Bowling Green's offense would find a way to break through, as they added three consecutive points before the Redhawk bench called a timeout with 11:22 left in the first half.
Following the timeout, the Falcon defense continued to stymie the SU offense. On the other end of the court they would go on a 9-0 run before Kerfoot sunk her second three-pointer from the corner with nine minutes to go. Bowling Green's Tracy Pontius and Uhl would make it a 10 point contest on their next possessions, being sent to the line and making both of their respective free throws.
Dickerson got the Redhawks back into the scoring game with Seattle U's fourth three-pointer in the contest. On the ensuing play, the Falcons would be sent to the line for their third consecutive offensive possession.
Inside six minutes, Seattle U was unable to counter BGSU's growing lead enough, as the Falcons made it a 10 point game for the second time in the half.
Seattle U would go on a 4-2 run as the game headed inside the final three minutes of the half, but turnovers plagued the Redhawks' offensive efforts. They committed 13 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of action, which Bowling Green converted into 14 points to head into halftime with a 36-22 lead.
The Redhawks remained on their heels early in the second half, as BGSU would take an 18 point lead with 16:56 left in regulation.
Kerfoot would get the Redhawks on the board for the first time in the half nearly four minutes in, as she sent in a six foot jumper with a second left on the shot clock. She would go on to score SU's next four points, closing in on the Falcons' lead 40-28.
As the game ticked under the 14 minute mark, Seattle U worked to battle back, but every layin for the Redhawks would be immediately countered by Bowling Green. BGSU would go on to take a 20 point lead, but Seattle U continued to battle.
Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) would put up five consecutive baskets to make it a 52-36 game with less than 10 minutes to go; however the Falcon offense would be able to go on a 4-0 run with 7:38 remaining.
Julee Christianson (Missoula, Mont.) would come in for the first time, providing a spark off the bench. She would force a jump ball on a Bowling Green possession and follow it by sending her first points of the game from the top of the key. Down 61-44, she would then block a BGSU's Potius drive by blocking her attempted layin.
The Redhawk momentum was brief as BGSU's offense continued to play in sync. They were able to grow their lead to as high as 25 with 3:01 left in the game, a point deficit Seattle U was unable to significantly cut down before the conclusion of the contest.
In the game, BGSU shot 41.1 percent (23-for-56) from the field, while SU shot 32.7 percent (18-for-55). The Redhawks outrebounded the Falcons, 40 to 37; however Bowling Green forced 22 SU turnovers, which they translated to 25 points in the contest.
In the game, Uhl led both sides with 17 points, while Kerfoot had the Redhawks' top points with 14 and Dickerson followed with 11 points and six boards. Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) grabbed down a team-leading eight boards for the Redhawks, while Brown was perfect from the charity stripe, going 4-for-4.
Seattle U (1-5) will look to rebound with a midweek contest at the University of Portland on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.
Seattle U Thanksgiving Tournament Results:
1st Place: Bowling Green
2nd Place: Seattle U
3rd Place: UALR
4th Place: Montana State
All-Tournament Team
MVP: Lauren Prochaska - Bowling Green
At-Large Team:
Elle Kerfoot - Seattle U
Tracy Pontius - Bowling Green
Asriel Rolfe - UALR
Chrissy Steffen - Bowling Green