SEATTLE – Seattle University women's basketball led early and made the defending West Coast Conference champions sweat late, but Portland came away with a 82-70 decision on Wednesday afternoon at the Redhawk Center. The season-opener was played in front of no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the first period, SU put together a stellar 10 minutes of action. Maddy Phillips scored the first Redhawk basket of the season, with a Bree Calhoun assist. McKenzi Williams drove and scored and then Calhoun set up a Peyton Howard trey for a 7-5 advantage 7:17 left.
Calhoun continued her strong work with an offensive rebound and a putback and then three-pointer for a 12-5 lead. A Ramona Jagger putback extended the margin before UP replied. Phillips scored again, but the visitors got within six late in the frame. Calhoun then splashed a deep three to beat the shot clock. A Williams bucket put SU up by 11 before Portland closed the quarter with a layup to make it 21-12 after a period.
Phillips began the second quarter with another hoop, but the Pilots swung the game in their favor as the half continued. Chinwe Ezeonu scored a pair of baskets to keep SU in touch, but UP poured in 28 points to grab a 40-30 halftime lead.
Williams, Calhoun, and a parade to the foul line sparked a third-quarter rally for the hosts. Williams hit a jumper and Calhoun followed with a three-point play to get within five. Calhoun scored again and then Howard dropped in a putback while being fouled. The freshman sank the ensuing free throw to make it 44-40 with 6:43 showing on the clock.
Howard was fouled again and converted a pair at the line. Phillips split two foul shots and Williams then went 4-4 in a one-minute stretch to make it a three-point difference. After a UP basket, Ezeonu made a lay-in with two minutes to play in the frame. Williams capped scoring with two more free throws as the Redhawks pulled within 55-51 after three.
Williams made 12-14 free throws on her way to matching a career high with 20 points. Ezeonu added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Calhoun filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, seven steals, and six assists. Phillips tallied a career-high 11 points on 5-6 shooting from the field. Howard came off the bench to score eight points in her SU debut.
The SU defense hounded Portland into 24 turnovers, including four charges drawn by Williams.
SU heads to No. 10 Oregon for a non-conference contest on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.
In the first period, SU put together a stellar 10 minutes of action. Maddy Phillips scored the first Redhawk basket of the season, with a Bree Calhoun assist. McKenzi Williams drove and scored and then Calhoun set up a Peyton Howard trey for a 7-5 advantage 7:17 left.
Calhoun continued her strong work with an offensive rebound and a putback and then three-pointer for a 12-5 lead. A Ramona Jagger putback extended the margin before UP replied. Phillips scored again, but the visitors got within six late in the frame. Calhoun then splashed a deep three to beat the shot clock. A Williams bucket put SU up by 11 before Portland closed the quarter with a layup to make it 21-12 after a period.
Phillips began the second quarter with another hoop, but the Pilots swung the game in their favor as the half continued. Chinwe Ezeonu scored a pair of baskets to keep SU in touch, but UP poured in 28 points to grab a 40-30 halftime lead.
Williams, Calhoun, and a parade to the foul line sparked a third-quarter rally for the hosts. Williams hit a jumper and Calhoun followed with a three-point play to get within five. Calhoun scored again and then Howard dropped in a putback while being fouled. The freshman sank the ensuing free throw to make it 44-40 with 6:43 showing on the clock.
Howard was fouled again and converted a pair at the line. Phillips split two foul shots and Williams then went 4-4 in a one-minute stretch to make it a three-point difference. After a UP basket, Ezeonu made a lay-in with two minutes to play in the frame. Williams capped scoring with two more free throws as the Redhawks pulled within 55-51 after three.
Williams made 12-14 free throws on her way to matching a career high with 20 points. Ezeonu added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Calhoun filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, seven steals, and six assists. Phillips tallied a career-high 11 points on 5-6 shooting from the field. Howard came off the bench to score eight points in her SU debut.
The SU defense hounded Portland into 24 turnovers, including four charges drawn by Williams.
SU heads to No. 10 Oregon for a non-conference contest on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.