SU shot 45.0 (27-for-60) percent from the field in the contest, to Eastern Washington’s 33.9 (19-for-56) percent.
“I think our team is really taking pride in our defense,” said head coach Joan Bonvicini. “The last couple games we [have] forced a lot of turnovers and [made] steals.”
The Redhawks forced 28 EWU turnovers, which they converted into 29 points. The squad also posted 19 steals to the Eagles’ eight.
Eastern Washington took off on an early 6-0 run minutes into the contest, but it was Seattle U who would respond with four points of their own to cut off Eastern Washington’s early momentum. Their 4-0 run would prove to be crucial, as Seattle U would improve their play and establish their game tempo, which lasted the remained of the contest.
After playing very defensively minded in the opening minutes of the first half, it was junior Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) who sent in a triple to give the Redhawks a 10-8 lead at 10:46. Seattle U would control the lead for the remainder of the game.
Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) added a seven foot jumper and Kerfoot would make it eight straight from SU with her second consecutive three-pointer.
Kerfoot went on to score in double figures for the eighth consecutive game. She tallied 17 points, behind six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Salena Dickerson (Federal Way, Wash.) gave the Redhawks their first double figure lead of the game with a quick three foot jumper, 23-12, at 4:39.
Dickerson also scored in double digits in the contest, posting 17 points. She was the team’s top rebounder, with nine boards.
EWU would respond with a jumper of their own, but Kerfoot would make good on her three-point play to give SU a 26-14 advantage heading inside the four-minute mark.
Behind 11 first half points from Kerfoot, Seattle U went into the break leading 32-17.
In the final half, the Eagles worked to close in on the Redhawks’ lead behind a pair of threes from Kyla Evans. Her efforts made it a 15-point game, 40-25.
The Redhawks would maintain their offensive grind and fluidity of play. An Amani Butler (Corona, Calif.) free throw would establish a 20-point Redhawk advantage at 13:37, 45-25. SU would hold onto their 20-point plus lead for nearly nine minutes of play and teeter around the 20-point mark for the remainder of the second half.
Tatiana Heck (Lynnwood, Wash.) proved to be a solid off the bench force in the center. She helped orchestrate the Redhawk offensive efforts and provided lifts throughout the game. She would finish with nine points, three rebounds and a team-leading six steals for a career high.
Brown, who scored 16 points in the game, was the defensive spark plug the Redhawks needed. She tallied four steals, four rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes of action.
“I think the biggest thing is we are improving,” Bonvicini said. “I really feel our confidence level and intensity [building]. We are not taking plays off and are playing for 40 minutes. We are establishing an identity for our team.”
The contest also marked SU’s annual Pink Zone game. The Redhawks raised money for the Kay Yow Foundation in front of a season high crowd of 726.
Seattle U (7-17) will close out the home half of the 2010-11 schedule with Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Redhawks will host their annual Senior Night ceremony at the 4 p.m. game in the Connolly Center.