SEATTLE (Nov. 18) - Seattle University women’s basketball defeated UCSB, 58-53, at the Connolly Complex Friday night. Alexis Montgomery scored 19 points to lead the Redhawks (1-2) to the first win of the Suzy Barcomb era.
“I thought we got out to a really good start and then got complacent in the second quarter,” said Barcomb. “I challenged our kids at halftime. Alexis played a great game and we tried to go to her late and she made some plays. It was a team effort down the stretch.”
Two Kamira Sanders free throws tied the game at 49 with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter. SU worked to grab several rebounds as the period continued, and after a Redhawk timeout, Claire Metoyer found Montgomery open for a layup and a 51-49 advantage with 1:52 to play. UCSB (1-2) answered with a pair of foul shots, but Montgomery had an answer of her own, sinking a 10-footer for a two-point lead.
Seattle U forced a Gaucho turnover on the ensuing possession and then Montgomery found Jacinta Beckley, who cut to the hoop and scored with 26 seconds left. After a UCSB miss, Kaylee Best and Montgomery hit enough free throws to secure the victory.
SU was suffocating defensively to open the contest. Montgomery blocked a shot on the first possession, leading to a Metoyer jumper. Sanders followed with a steal and breakaway layup for a 4-0 lead after one minute.
Joana Alves split a pair of free throws and then Montgomery grabbed a rebound, eventually setting up a Best three-pointer for an 8-0 advantage. Montgomery came up with another steal as the Redhawk defense continued to control the action. UCSB finally made its first field goal at the 5:35 mark, but Wilma Afunugo scored inside and then Sanders assisted on a Beckley hoop for a 12-4 lead at the 4:11 mark.
Less than a minute later, Metoyer pulled down a rebound. Alves found the senior for an and-1 as Seattle U took a 15-4 lead. Metoyer hit another jumper at the 3:07 mark and the difference ballooned. As SU’s defense kept at it, Montgomery made two foul shots and the hosts claimed a 19-4 lead after one period. UCSB shot 1-16 from the floor in the frame.
In the second quarter, Beckley sank a jumper for a 21-6 margin, but the visitors cut their deficit as the period moved on. Genessa Bedoya drained a jump shot and Sanders scored in the lane. An Alves block kept SU ahead, 25-16, midway through the frame. A Metoyer bucket made it 27-19 with 2:17 left in the half, and neither team was able to score after that.
The Gauchos rallied in the third period, but a Best trey and a Montgomery jumper kept SU ahead. Montgomery nailed another jump shot for a 34-30 advantage with 4:57 to play, but UCSB inched closer. A jumper by Beckley created a bit of insurance, but the visitors eventually took a 39-36 lead with 1:51 showing on the clock.
Montgomery was vital as time wound down in the third. She made a layup while being fouled and then hit the ensuing free throw to even the score. Montgomery followed with another jumper with 37 seconds remaining, lifting the Redhawks to a 41-39 edge after thirty minutes.
Montgomery finished with 19 points and six rebounds. Metoyer, Best, Sanders, and Beckley combined for 34 points. SU held a 36-29 advantage in rebounding.
Seattle U travels to Boise State for a Sunday tilt. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.