Seattle U Suffers 74-62 Loss to Chicago State

A second half momentum surge from the Chicago State Cougars would be enough to hand the Seattle University women's basketball team a 74-62 loss Saturday evening in the Connolly Center. After an even matched first half, the Redhawks were unable to maintain their offensive fluidity to snap their five-game losing skid.

"Chicago State is a very good team," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "We tried to really mix it up and for a while we were successful, but at the beginning of the second half [Chicago State] made a burst. From that point forward we were playing catch up."

SU (5-17) opened up action by forcing three consecutive turnovers on Chicago State's early possessions, while going on an early 4-0 run.

Their early all-around play quieted as the half progressed, as both sides battle for control of the game. The Cougars would garner as high as a three-point advantage, but the Redhawks continually would even the game. The score would be tied 11 times in the first half, sending Seattle U into the break tied 31-31.

Less than four minutes into the second half, the Cougars took their largest lead of the game 35-44. Their early tempo setting momentum swing would be enough to carry them through the final half.

At 12:53, Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) would sink a three-pointer to bring the Redhawks within three, 48-45; however it would be the closest SU would get in the second half. The Cougar defense continued dictate to play, preventing SU from taking control of the lead.

Kerfoot would score in double figures for the sixth consecutive game, tallying a game-leading 20 points. The point guard had four three-pointers in the game, in addition to making eight assists and three defensive boards.

"I thought Elle played another really good game," commented Bonvicini. "She played smart, made great assists and scored in double figures."

For CSU, four players scored in double figures, with Courtney Waldon leading the Cougar offense behind 19 points.

Freshmen Sylvia Shephard (Alta Loma, Calif.) and Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) both had big games in their young careers. Shephard tallied 10 boards, to lead both sides, while Ward was the Redhawks' second leading scorer, with 12 points.

The Redhawks will next return to action on Friday, Feb. 4, at Long Beach State in a 7 p.m. game. It will be a homecoming return for Bonvicini, as she began her head coaching career at CSULB.