SEATTLE – Seattle University women's basketball fell, 56-48, to Grand Canyon Thursday night. Kamira Sanders moved into the top 10 in scoring in program history in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) game at the Redhawk Center.
Sanders, a senior from Redding, California, scored nine points on Thursday. She now has 1,258 points in her SU career, tied with Mandy Matzke for 10th-most in program history. Sanders needs 44 points to tie Ashley Ward for ninth on the all-time SU scoring charts.
"She started off her senior year on fire," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "We have a lot of pride in her and it's great when one of your players shows success on the floor. We hope she keeps climbing the charts here."
GCU controlled play in the first quarter, as SU converted on just 3-17 field goals. Hailey Vice-Neat swished a three-ball to get the Redhawks on the board at the 6:02 mark. After the visitors grabbed an 11-3 lead, Alves scored inside to trim the deficit. The senior scored again in closing seconds of the frame, as the Lopes held a 16-7 advantage after 10 minutes.
Seattle U fared far better in the second period, putting itself in position to get back in the game. McKenzi Williams scored inside and then Courtney Murphy split two foul shots. The sophomore hit two technical free throws with 7:14 left and then Vice-Neat made a foul shot to make it 19-14 at the 6:40 mark. GCU stretched its lead back to eight, but Alves went to work, scoring in the lane twice and then connecting on two foul shots. A Williams steal and score made it a two-point difference with 3:32 to go in the half, but the Lopes closed well and gained a 30-22 advantage at halftime.
Vice-Neat and Sanders swished treys early in the third as the Redhawks looked to rally. Alves dropped a terrific pass to a cutting Murphy, who finished while being fouled as SU got within 34-30 with 7:38 showing on the clock. Murphy pulled up for a jumper to keep the home side close, but Grand Canyon began to distance itself, hitting a late three for a 51-38 margin going into the final frame.
In the fourth, Vice-Neat scored first and then Alves made a layup to make it a nine-point game. Buckets by Sanders and Murphy kept it tight, but GCU made a jumper for a 56-44 difference at the 3:15 mark.
Alves finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Vice-Neat put up 11 points and four boards in 30 minutes. Murphy tallied nine points and seven rebounds, while Sanders compiled nine points and four boards while working through foul trouble.
Seattle U hosts CSU Bakersfield in another WAC contest on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Redhawk Center.
Sanders, a senior from Redding, California, scored nine points on Thursday. She now has 1,258 points in her SU career, tied with Mandy Matzke for 10th-most in program history. Sanders needs 44 points to tie Ashley Ward for ninth on the all-time SU scoring charts.
"She started off her senior year on fire," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "We have a lot of pride in her and it's great when one of your players shows success on the floor. We hope she keeps climbing the charts here."
GCU controlled play in the first quarter, as SU converted on just 3-17 field goals. Hailey Vice-Neat swished a three-ball to get the Redhawks on the board at the 6:02 mark. After the visitors grabbed an 11-3 lead, Alves scored inside to trim the deficit. The senior scored again in closing seconds of the frame, as the Lopes held a 16-7 advantage after 10 minutes.
Seattle U fared far better in the second period, putting itself in position to get back in the game. McKenzi Williams scored inside and then Courtney Murphy split two foul shots. The sophomore hit two technical free throws with 7:14 left and then Vice-Neat made a foul shot to make it 19-14 at the 6:40 mark. GCU stretched its lead back to eight, but Alves went to work, scoring in the lane twice and then connecting on two foul shots. A Williams steal and score made it a two-point difference with 3:32 to go in the half, but the Lopes closed well and gained a 30-22 advantage at halftime.
Vice-Neat and Sanders swished treys early in the third as the Redhawks looked to rally. Alves dropped a terrific pass to a cutting Murphy, who finished while being fouled as SU got within 34-30 with 7:38 showing on the clock. Murphy pulled up for a jumper to keep the home side close, but Grand Canyon began to distance itself, hitting a late three for a 51-38 margin going into the final frame.
In the fourth, Vice-Neat scored first and then Alves made a layup to make it a nine-point game. Buckets by Sanders and Murphy kept it tight, but GCU made a jumper for a 56-44 difference at the 3:15 mark.
Alves finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Vice-Neat put up 11 points and four boards in 30 minutes. Murphy tallied nine points and seven rebounds, while Sanders compiled nine points and four boards while working through foul trouble.
Seattle U hosts CSU Bakersfield in another WAC contest on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Redhawk Center.