Four players scored in double figures as Seattle University controlled all aspects of the game in a convincing 86-58 victory over UC Irvine in women's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.
Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) returned to her hometown and led the Redhawks with 20 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line, and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) was 6-of-7 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line for a 15-point, seven-rebound performance, and Talisa Rhea (Juneau, Alaska) contributed 13 points and a game-high nine assists.
Kassandra McCalister hit a three-pointer six minutes into the first half to give UC Irvine a 12-11 lead, but Seattle U took the lead for good with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes, with Ward scoring half of those points. Another three-pointer by McCalister capped a 7-2 Anteater run that cut their deficit in half, but the Redhawks responded with a 12-0 scoring run, half of those points being scored by Rhea, on their way to a 43-25 advantage at halftime.
A 10-2 Seattle U run to start the second half, including four points by Maggie McCarthy (Burlingame, Calif.), increased the Redhawk lead to 53-27 three minutes into the second half. The Redhawks rattled off a 12-1 scoring run midway through the second half to expand their advantage to 69-37, and Seattle U was able to cruise to its biggest road victory in over three years.
The Redhawk bench made a significant contribution, led by Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, and Brenda Adhiambo (Mombasa, Kenya) with nine points and eight rebounds. Seattle U shot 55 percent (33-of-60) from the field, including 6-of-15 from behind the three-point line, and 77.8 percent (14-of-18) from the free throw line.
UC Irvine (9-11) was led by Methlyn Onogomuho with 14 points and seven rebounds and McCalister with 13 points and four assists. The Anteaters shot only 34.4 percent (22-of-64) from the field, were outrebounded by the Redhawks, 41-32, and committed 19 turnovers that led to 28 Redhawk points.
Seattle University (12-8) faces a tough test Wednesday night, as the BYU Cougars, currently 18-3 overall and in first place in the West Coast Conference with a 7-1 league record, visit the Connolly Center for a 7 p.m. contest. Live stats, audio, and video will be available on GoSeattleU.com.