SEATTLE – Seattle University women's basketball won its fifth straight game with a 78-70 victory over UTRGV on Saturday afternoon. Joana Alves led four Redhawks in double figures with 19 points in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and Play4Kay contest at the Redhawk Center.
"We were able to build a big lead and share the ball today," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Four people in double digits. This is a tough weekend and we knew we needed to have a sweep and everybody came out and gave us their best effort."
The game was tight throughout, with neither side able to gain much separation from the other. UTRGV scored first, but Kamira Sanders made a jumper and Hailey Vice-Neat scored inside for the Redhawks. The visitors grabbed an 8-4 lead, but Courtney Murphy sank a three-pointer to trim the margin at the 7:11 mark. UTRGV again went up by five, but Olivia Crawford assisted on a Vice-Neat trey to make it 12-10 with 3:22 left in the period. An Alves triple put SU ahead briefly before the Vaqueros went back up with a 7-0 run. Alves scored in the final seconds of the frame to cut the deficit to 19-15 after 10 minutes.
The Redhawks (12-12-, 6-5 WAC) got the better of the second quarter, especially early. Alves made two free throws and Crawford drove for a bucket to tie the game at 19. A Murphy three put her side up by three before the visitors answered. Alves was fouled again and swished both tries, but UTRGV hit a three to even the score at 25 at the 4:46 mark.
Sanders scored in the lane and then set up an Alves basket for a 29-25 margin. Crawford then found space and launched from deep, nailing a wing trey for a 32-25 lead with 1:53 to go in the half. UTRGV closed well, though, converting a three-point play and then making a three-pointer to get within 32-31 at halftime.
To start the second half, Sanders grabbed a rebound and then sank an open 15-footer. After a UTRGV score, Crawford drove end-to-end and finished for two. Murphy then found Alves on a pick-and-pop for a three-ball and a 39-33 advantage with 7:06 left in the third.
A Chinwe Ezeonu layup and three Murphy free throws stretched the difference to nine points. Sanders hit a three and a jumper for a 49-38 lead at the 4:16 mark. Ezeonu swished a jump shot and Alves converted a three-point play inside. Late foul shots by Sanders and Crawford made it 56-46 after three periods.
SU floored it early in the fourth, looking to put away the Vaqueros. Ezeonu made two free throws and Sanders logged a jumper. A Murphy triple made it 63-50. Sanders and Crawford both drew fouls and connected on each free throw. An Alves lay-in ballooned the margin to 69-50 with 4:55 remaining. UTRGV didn't give up, though, rallying to get within seven with just over a minute to play. SU made enough foul shots to hold off the charge and make it five straight victories.
Alves recorded 19 points and six rebounds, while Sanders compiled 16 points, six steals, and six boards. Murphy scored 15 points on just four field goal attempts, making three three-pointers and hitting 6-7 free throws. Crawford contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. Ezeonu came off the bench to add nine points and 10 boards, including four offensive.
SU hits the road next weekend, playing at Grand Canyon and CSU Bakersfield in two WAC contests.
"We were able to build a big lead and share the ball today," said Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Four people in double digits. This is a tough weekend and we knew we needed to have a sweep and everybody came out and gave us their best effort."
The game was tight throughout, with neither side able to gain much separation from the other. UTRGV scored first, but Kamira Sanders made a jumper and Hailey Vice-Neat scored inside for the Redhawks. The visitors grabbed an 8-4 lead, but Courtney Murphy sank a three-pointer to trim the margin at the 7:11 mark. UTRGV again went up by five, but Olivia Crawford assisted on a Vice-Neat trey to make it 12-10 with 3:22 left in the period. An Alves triple put SU ahead briefly before the Vaqueros went back up with a 7-0 run. Alves scored in the final seconds of the frame to cut the deficit to 19-15 after 10 minutes.
The Redhawks (12-12-, 6-5 WAC) got the better of the second quarter, especially early. Alves made two free throws and Crawford drove for a bucket to tie the game at 19. A Murphy three put her side up by three before the visitors answered. Alves was fouled again and swished both tries, but UTRGV hit a three to even the score at 25 at the 4:46 mark.
Sanders scored in the lane and then set up an Alves basket for a 29-25 margin. Crawford then found space and launched from deep, nailing a wing trey for a 32-25 lead with 1:53 to go in the half. UTRGV closed well, though, converting a three-point play and then making a three-pointer to get within 32-31 at halftime.
To start the second half, Sanders grabbed a rebound and then sank an open 15-footer. After a UTRGV score, Crawford drove end-to-end and finished for two. Murphy then found Alves on a pick-and-pop for a three-ball and a 39-33 advantage with 7:06 left in the third.
A Chinwe Ezeonu layup and three Murphy free throws stretched the difference to nine points. Sanders hit a three and a jumper for a 49-38 lead at the 4:16 mark. Ezeonu swished a jump shot and Alves converted a three-point play inside. Late foul shots by Sanders and Crawford made it 56-46 after three periods.
SU floored it early in the fourth, looking to put away the Vaqueros. Ezeonu made two free throws and Sanders logged a jumper. A Murphy triple made it 63-50. Sanders and Crawford both drew fouls and connected on each free throw. An Alves lay-in ballooned the margin to 69-50 with 4:55 remaining. UTRGV didn't give up, though, rallying to get within seven with just over a minute to play. SU made enough foul shots to hold off the charge and make it five straight victories.
Alves recorded 19 points and six rebounds, while Sanders compiled 16 points, six steals, and six boards. Murphy scored 15 points on just four field goal attempts, making three three-pointers and hitting 6-7 free throws. Crawford contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. Ezeonu came off the bench to add nine points and 10 boards, including four offensive.
SU hits the road next weekend, playing at Grand Canyon and CSU Bakersfield in two WAC contests.