REDHAWKS FACE CSU BAKERSFIELD IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE: For the second consecutive game, the Redhawks face CSU Bakersfield, this time on the Roadrunners' home court. CSUB visited Seattle on Saturday, Mar. 3, for the Redhawks' Senior Day, and Seattle U came away with the 86-65 victory. This will be the regular season finale for both teams, and the Redhawks hope to extend their season into postseason play for the first time in Division I school history.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP
Seattle University
G: #1 Sylvia Shephard - 5-10 - So.
G: #5 Elle Kerfoot - 5-7 - Sr.
G: #11 Talisa Rhea - 5-11 - Sr.
F: #14 Ashley Ward - 5-11 - So.
C: #41 Kacie Sowell - 6-2 - So.
THE CSU BAKERSFIELD GAME (3/3): Kacie Sowell scored the first two points of the game on free throws, but for the remainder of the first half, the Redhawks struggled on offense, only leading the Roadrunners by one at the half, 32-31. CSUB held the lead several times throughout the first half, and again took the lead, 35-32 coming out of the halftime break. Seattle U then went on a 9-2 run and, despite letting CSUB get within one point several more times, held the lead for the remainder of the game. Shooting just 40 percent from the field in the first half, the Redhawks increased the figure to 62.9 percent in the second half, and outscored the Roadrunners 54-34 after halftime. Sowell scored a career high 23 points and notched her 14th double-double of the season, shooting 10-for-11 from the field along with 15 rebounds. Ashley Ward brought down a career-high nine rebounds and added 16 points and Elle Kerfoot scored 15 points. Amani Butler also got her first start of the season. Seattle U outrebounded CSUB, 55-29. Kristine Herman led the Roadrunners with 23 points and five rebounds.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM BANQUET SET FOR MONDAY, MARCH 12: Fans are invited to join the women's basketball team and coaching staff for a team banquet on Monday, Mar. 12, as they celebrate the success of the team and the accomplishments of the student-athletes this season. The banquet will take place at the Space Needle Lower Level Banquet Room and dress is business casual. At 5:30 p.m., there will be no-host cocktails and the dinner and program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.00 per person and a table of eight can be purchased for $320. The opportunity is also available to sponsor a player for $45.00 per player. As a special addition, head coach Joan Bonvicini will also announce the Redhawks' postseason destiny as part of the evening's festivities.
POSTSEASON POTENTIAL: The Seattle University women's basketball team has more than doubled their win total from the previous season. The Redhawks have notched a five-game winning streak and two four-game winning streaks this season. They have also beat several opponents that they were not able to beat one season ago, including UC Santa Barbara, Boise State, Santa Clara, UC Irvine, Chicago State, Utah Valley, and CSUB. For these and several other reasons, the team will likely have the chance to make their first Division I postseason appearance in school history in either the WNIT or WBI, with the possibility to host. At the team banquet on Monday, Mar. 12, Coach Joan Bonvicini and the team will make the announcement about the Redhawks' postseason destiny.
SCOUTING CSU BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners enter Saturday's game with a 6-22 record, after falling to the Redhawks on their Senior Day on Mar. 3. As a team, the Roadrunners are scoring 69.7 ppg and are averaging 32.0 rpg. Kristine Herman leads the team with 14.9 ppg, 417 total points, and 48 steals.
SEATTLE U VS. CSU BAKERSFIELD: Seattle U is 2-4 all-time versus the Roadrunners, after winning last weekend's contest (Mar. 3) in Seattle, 86-65. Kacie Sowell led the Redhawks with 23 points and 15 rebounds, and two other players also scored in double digits for Seattle U. Kristine Herman led the Roadrunners with 23 points. Seattle U outrebounded CSUB, 55-29.
END-OF-SEASON HONORS: Talisa Rhea and Kacie Sowell were named to the Independent Women's Basketball First Team All-Conference, and Ashley Ward was named to the Second Team. Head coach Joan Bonvicini was also named Coach of the Year and Sowell was named Player of the Year. Sowell was also named to the Fourth-Team All-Mid Major.