The Seattle University women's basketball team fell in a tough matchup against #2 Stanford 76-52 Wednesday night at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, Calif.
Guard Talisa Rhea (Juneau, Alaska) led the way for the Redhawks, scoring 18 points in 34 minutes of action while also contributing seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Rhea was the only Redhawk in double figures, although both Sylvia Shephard (Alta Loma, Calif.) and Elle Kerfoot (Surrey, B.C.) had nine points apiece. Shephard also had eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Kerfoot contributed two assists as well.
SU started the game with plenty of energy, keeping up with the Cardinal for much of the first half. They came within two points five times during the first 10 minutes and made seven of their first 10 shots of the game. After the teams traded two-pointers to begin the game Stanford scored the next seven, but the Redhawks fought back and went into the first media timeout down just two points, 12-10.
Seattle U couldn't keep up the pace, however. At the 8:05 mark in the first half, the Cardinal began a 16-4 run that lasted 4:45. Despite closing the gap to six points with 5:37 left in the first, the Redhawks managed only two more points in the half and went into the locker room down 43-29.
Coming out of the break, the Redhawks made the first bucket thanks to a layup by Rhea, but the Cardinal responded with eight straight points to extend their lead to 19 with 14:45 left in the game. Stanford had another run start at the 9:36 mark of the second half, which lasted nearly four and a half minutes and saw the Cardinal score 14 points while the Redhawks only managed five during that span. At that point, the teams traded buckets for the rest of the game.
The Redhawks shot just 25 percent from the field in the second half and were bolstered by Rhea for the entire period. Rhea earned 13 of her 18 points in the second half and scored SU's first nine points of the period.
With the 24-point victory, the Cardinal won their 79th straight home contest, the longest home winning streak in the nation.
Seattle U looks to rebound from the loss Saturday, March 3 at home against CSU Bakersfield. Tip off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Connolly Center. Before the game, the seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the Seattle University women's basketball program.