Seattle University used its aggressive defense to open a double-digit lead early in the second half, but BYU outscored the Redhawks, 21-6, over the final seven minutes of the game to pull out a 70-62 victory in women's collegiate basketball action Thursday afternoon at the Marriott Center.
Up by just one late in the first half, Seattle U increased the lead to four at 34-30 at halftime thanks to a three-pointer by Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) near the end of the first half. The Redhawks went on a 12-5 scoring run in the first five minutes of the second half, punctuated by a steal and layup from Sylvia Shephard (Alta Loma, Calif.) that increased Seattle U's advantage to 46-35, its largest lead of the game.
BYU (8-4) went on an 11-2 scoring run over the next three minutes, closing with back-to-back baskets from Morgan Bailey, to pull to within two at 48-46. Consecutive baskets by Brown as well as a jumper from Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) allowed the Redhawks to extend their lead back to seven at 56-49 with 7:23 remaining in regulation.
Haley Steed hit back-to-back three-pointers, and Jennifer Hamson made two free throws to give BYU its first lead since early in the first half. Taelor Ross (Vancouver, Wash.) made a layup to put Seattle U back on top, but that lead was short-lived, as Kim Beeston made two free throws to give the Cougars the lead for good, and Steed went 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to complete the comeback.
Shephard led the Redhawks with 14 points and five steals, while Brown finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Brenda Adhiambo (Mombasa, Kenya) contributed eight points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Sowell struggled with foul trouble the entire game and finished with nine points and four rebounds, less than half her season average in both categories.
Steed led the Cougars with 18 points, seven assists, and five steals, while Hamson was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field on her way to a 14-point effort. BYU shot 60 percent (24-of-40) from the field, including 18-of-22 from inside the three-point line, and 66.7 percent (16-of-24) from the free throw line.
The Redhawks shot 51.1 percent (23-of-45) from the field and 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the free throw line. Seattle U earned 15 steals as part of BYU's 21 turnovers, but the Cougars won the rebounding battle, 25-22, and matched the Redhawks with 20 points off turnovers.
Seattle University (3-6) begins Western Athletic Conference play Saturday, Dec. 29, at the University of Idaho starting at 2 p.m. The Redhawks return to the Connolly Center for the first home games in almost a full month the next weekend, hosting Utah State Thursday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. and San Jose State Saturday, Jan. 5, at 4 p.m.