SEATTLE – Seattle University women’s basketball won for the third time in four outings, taking down Long Beach State, 66-54, on Sunday afternoon. Courtney Murphy scored 19 points and the Redhawks dominated the glass, compiling a 49-30 advantage in the non-conference win at the Redhawk Center.
"Us playing Sacramento State on Friday helped prepare us for today's game," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Our success from last game, we were able to build on today. We made some plays in transition and hit some threes early and that gave us confidence."
After a strong defensive first half, the Redhawks looked to put The Beach away with offense in the third period. SU held a 23-16 halftime lead and quickly expanded its margin. Chinwe Ezeonu secured an offensive rebound and scored to start the third. She grabbed a board on the other end, leading to a Joana Alves layup for a 27-16 lead. The visitors answered, but Kamira Sanders assisted on an Alves bucket for a 29-21 advantage. Following a pair of LBSU hoops, Sanders swished a three-ball late in the shot clock. Sanders picked up a rebound and assisted on another Alves layup for a nine-point margin.
The Beach scored again, but Sanders found Murphy for a baseline jumper. Murphy followed with a trey at the shot-clock buzzer for a 39-27 difference. Sanders hit Murphy for another triple to stretch the lead to 15. After a LBSU score, Murphy curled and went up for a jumper that circled the rim and fell through at the third-quarter buzzer as SU took a 44-30 advantage.
SU closed the game with strong work at the free-throw line. Olivia Crawford connected on a pair and then Georgia Kehoe split two foul shots for a 47-37 lead. LBSU cut its deficit to six, but Alves dished to a cutting Leilani Peat for a layup and a 49-41 margin with 6:22 remaining.
Crawford then drove and pulled up for a short jumper in the lane to get the difference back to double figures. After a Beach hoop, Kehoe swished 3-4 free throws to hold off the opposition. Crawford and Alves followed with successful trips to the line and then Sanders and Alves made layups after SU broke Beach pressure to close out the decision.
The Redhawks held a 49-30 margin on the glass, including 20 offensive rebounds on the day.
Murphy made five threes on her way to 19 points in 37 minutes. Sanders filled the stat sheet with 14 points, eight assists, eight rebounds, and three steals. Crawford put up 11 points and five boards, while Alves finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. Ezeonu grabbed 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
The visitors went up 5-0 early, but the Redhawk defense swarmed from there, working its way to a 12-9 lead after a period. Murphy sank a three and then Sanders banked in a trey from the top of the key. A McKenzi Williams steal led to a Murphy triple for a 10-7 margin with 2:16 left in the frame. After an LBSU hoop, Olivia Crawford scored to cap a possession that featured three Redhawk offensive rebounds.
The Beach scored first in the second quarter, but the Redhawks replied with a 6-0 burst to gain control of the contest. Sarah Rahon scooped up a loose ball and sprinted ahead for a fast-break layup. She then intercepted the inbounds pass and tossed a pass to Sanders while falling out of bounds. Sanders converted for a five-point lead. The hosts earned a defensive stop and then Sanders drove and dished to Kehoe, who scored on the left side for an 18-11 difference with 6:01 left in the half.
Seattle U continued to work on the glass, as Crawford finished a three-shot trip with a lay-in for a 20-14 lead. Kehoe pulled down a defensive board and Crawford found Murphy for her third three-pointer of the half. LBSU scored last as the Redhawks maintained a 23-16 advantage at halftime.
SU wraps its five-game home stand on Saturday, Dec. 14. It takes on Warner Pacific at the Redhawk Center with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.