Seattle University women's basketball (16-9, 13-3 WAC) defeated Texas State (9-17, 3-12 WAC) in an overtime thriller that was exciting to the very end at the Connolly Center Thursday night. With the win, the Redhawks remain on top of the Western Athletic Conference and extended their home winning streak to seven games.
"Obviously this was the tale of two halves," said head coach Joan Bonvicini. "I think they came out really hot. They have some really good players, Diamond Ford, and a player who didn't play against us the first time, Ashley Ezeh. They were on fire early, we were missing our big player inside, and I think it took us a little time to adjust. After halftime, we figured out that we needed to be a lot more aggressive and rebound better."
Maggie McCarthy (Burlingame, Calif.) put the Redhawks ahead first, 2-0, on a jumper ten seconds in, but Texas State quickly gained the advantage, leading by five, 11-6, at 16:36. Diamond Ford scored eight of the team's first 11 points.
McCarthy added a three and a pair of free throws to help tie the game, 15-15, at 13:09. However, the Redhawks were not able to build on the run and the Bobcats jumped out to an eight point lead, 25-17, at 9:11 following three straight baskets by Ford, Ayriel Anderson, and Erin Peoples. Texas State would lead again by eight three more times over the next four minutes.
As Seattle U shooting went cold, the Redhawks scoring only twice in the final six minutes of the half, Texas State jumped out to their largest lead of the game, leading by 16, 39-23, at 2:53. Ezeh and Peoples combined for the final 10 points of the half for the Bobcats, as they led, 39-25, at the half.
Following halftime, the Redhawks would find themselves down again by 16 two more times in the first three minutes of the half, but a layup by Daidra Brown (Seattle, Wash.) cut the lead to single digits, 43-34, at 15:28. Texas State would increase the lead back to 11 three more times before SU cut the deficit to single digits for good, 55-48, at 10:46 following a layup by Sylvia Shephard (Alta Loma, Calif.)
Kristin Stoffel (Mill Creek, Wash.) hit a jumper sandwiched between layups by Brown to bring the Redhawks within three, 57-54, with 8:17 remaining. Fouled while shooting a three, Shephard made all three free throws to bring Seattle U within two, 59-57, at the 6:40 mark.
Stoffel hit a layup to tie the game, 59-59, and the game would be tied two more times over the next four minutes.
With 50 seconds remaining in regulation, Shephard hit a three-pointer to put Seattle U ahead, 66-63, in what seemed to be the difference maker in the game. Ford answered back with a three-pointer for the Bobcats to again tie the game, 66-66 with 32 seconds remaining. Neither team was able to get another shot to fall as the game went into the overtime period.
McCarthy added a layup to give SU the early lead in overtime, 68-66, and Ford tied the game for the sixth time, 68-68, at 4:00 with a layup of her own.
Texas State took as great as a three point lead at 2:36, 71-68, following a layup by Peoples and a made free throw by Ezeh. The Redhawks would not give up as Brown hit a layup and Ashley Ward (Irvine, Calif.) hit the game-winning three-pointer with 1:42 remaining. Solid SU defense allowed them to hold on to the lead as Seattle U came away with the victory, 73-71, in overtime.
Brown led the Redhawks in scoring with 22 points, also adding six rebounds, and shot 11-for-16 from the field. Shephard added 19 points and seven rebounds and McCarthy scored a season-high 13 points and tied her season high rebounds with six.
Ford led Texas State with 22 points, with three other players - Peoples, Ezeh, and Jasmine Baugus - also scoring in double figures.
Overall, the Redhawks outrebounded the Bobcats, 46-35, also leading in steals, 13-9. SU also led from behind the three point line (31.3 percent to 12.5 percent) and from the free-throw line (80 percent to 55.6 percent). From the field, Texas State led, 50 percent (32-for-64) to 40 percent (30-for-75).
Kacie Sowell (Ventura, Calif.) missed her first game of the season due to a sprained ankle but is expected to be back by Saturday's game.
Seattle U continues their final, three-game homestand as they host UTSA (14-12, 8-7 WAC) on Saturday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m.