The Seattle University women's basketball team stayed competitive throughout the night, but could not overcome its early deficit as the UALR Trojans held on for a 72-63 victory Wednesday night at the Jack Stephens Center.
Kacie Sowell shot 7-of-8 from the field and made both her free throw attempts as she led the Redhawks with 16 points, while Talisa Rhea finished with 13 points and five assists. Despite shooting 48.1 percent (26-of-54) from the field and doubling the Trojans' rebounding total (42-21), Seattle U hurt itself with 21 turnovers while forcing UALR into only nine turnovers.
UALR (4-8) took the lead for good with 12:33 left in the first half by scoring six unanswered points on back-to-back traditional three-point plays from Marian Kursh and Taylor Ford. Ashley Ward hit a layup to with 7:14 left in the first half to cut the Redhawk deficit to two at 23-21, Taylor Gault scored six straight points for the Trojans to extend the home team's advantage to eight.
Up 35-32 at halftime, UALR once again increased its lead with another 6-0 run at the start of the second half. Seattle U closed the gap to four points midway through the second half, but Trojan runs of 8-2 and 8-1 allowed the home team to cruise to the victory.
Gault led all players with 25 points and three blocked shots, while Kursh collected 14 points and eight rebounds and Ford contributed 14 points and six assists to the winning effort. For the game, the Trojans shot 56.6 percent (30-of-53) from the field.
Seattle University (6-6) will host the Washington Dental Service Holiday Hoops Tournament Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29-30, at KeyArena. After Saint Louis faces Eastern Michigan next Thursday, Dec. 29, at 1 p.m., the Redhawks will take on Saint Francis (Pa.) at 3:15 p.m. The third-place and championship games of the tournament will take place Friday, Dec. 30, at 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., respectively.