Four players scored in double figures as the Seattle University women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead and maintained the pressure on both ends of the floor, defeating Santa Clara, 80-62, Tuesday night at the Connolly Center.
The Redhawks extended their winning streak to four games thanks to players such as Talisa Rhea (Juneau, Alaska), who led the way with 19 points, plus she dished out seven assists. Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and eight assists, while Brenda Adhiambo (Mombasa, Kenya) contributed 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
"We started the game strong. I think we have been getting better every single game. We talked about putting a 40-minute game together without any lulls. We did a good job of sustaining our game, that when they made a run we came right back and had a run of our own," Seattle U head coach Joan Bonvicini said.
Seattle U jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the first five minutes, but Santa Clara responded with seven unanswered points to close its deficit to 15-9 with 11:48 left in the first half. A layup by Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) and a three-pointer from Rhea extended the Redhawk advantage back to 11 midway through the first half, but the Broncos closed the gap to eight at 28-20 with just over five minutes left.
A traditional three-point play by Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) and a fast-break layup from Amani Butler (Corona, Calif.) increased the Seattle U lead to 13 at 35-22 with 2:39 remaining before halftime, and the two teams basically traded baskets the rest of the way. The Redhawks shot 51.5 percent from the field in the first half and forced Santa Clara into nine turnovers before the intermission.
A steal and layup by Butler five minutes into the second half extended Seattle U's lead to 52-36, but the Broncos put together one final charge, scoring seven unanswered points to close the gap to nine at 54-45 with 12:06 left in the second half. A layup by Rhea off a dish from Kerfoot started an 11-0 Redhawk run that stretched the lead back out to 20 points at 65-45 midway through the second half, and Santa Clara could get no closer than 14 points behind the rest of the game.
"I think I felt comfortable within the offense. We were moving the ball really well and were able to get open looks. That always helps when you are not forcing shots. It was important to be set and take the shots when they came," Rhea said.
Sowell finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and two steals, and Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) played another steady game, adding eight points, five rebounds, and five assists to the winning effort. For the game, Seattle U collected a season-high 23 assists and won the rebounding battle, 40-30, including 16 offensive boards.
Santa Clara (6-4) was led by Alyssa Shoji, a native of Bellevue, Wash., who scored 22 points, including four three-pointers. Lindsay Leo contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals, but Ruta Zurauskyte, the second-leading scorer on the team and one of the top rebounders in the West Coast Conference, was held scoreless with only three rebounds in 11 minutes on the court.
"I think we are becoming a good defensive team, and we have different looks that we can do. Santa Clara is a very good team, probably one of the best we have played this season. One of the keys that helped us was holding their second-leading scorer to zero points, as we were able to take her out of the game early," said Bonvicini.
Seattle University (6-4) will conclude this three-game homestand Saturday, Dec. 17, against Saint Mary's College beginning at 4 p.m. at the Connolly Center North Court.