MOSCOW, Id. – McKenzi Williams scored a Division I program-record 36 points, but Seattle University women's basketball fell at Idaho, 105-96, on Monday afternoon. Williams broke Joana Alves' school record in the non-conference game at Memorial Gym.
"McKenzi was phenomenal throughout the entire game," said SU Coach Suzy Barcomb. "We battled throughout the 40 minutes, but we could not overcome the foul trouble and the free throw discrepancy. It was a fast-paced game and our bench played good minutes today."
The first half featured end-to-end action, high-level shotmaking, and plenty of free throws. SU scored 32 points in the first quarter, marking its most in a period since Jan. 24, 2019, when the Redhawks dropped 32 on Chicago State in the first frame.
Bree Calhoun got Seattle U started, scoring four early points. A layup by Georgia Kehoe made it 6-0 just 46 seconds into the game. Idaho got on the board, but Williams started her barrage with a jumper and a three-pointer for an 11-4 advantage. A pair of Chinwe Ezeonu baskets allowed SU to stay ahead and then Williams set up a Courtney Murphy trey to make it 20-12 after six minutes.
Idaho shot 13 free throws in the first frame, forcing several Redhawks to the bench with foul trouble. That opened the door for freshmen Irena Korolenko and Erin Tarasow to contribute. Korolenko sank a jumper and then a three, while Tarasow finished in the lane late in the period. Calhoun scored twice in the final minute as SU grabbed a 32-25 lead.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second quarter, as Makenna Schoenhofer and Williams both nailed triples. The hosts rallied, tying the contest at 40 with 5:52 to play in the half. Another Williams three-ball put SU back up. Idaho gained a one-point edge, but Williams answered with a jumper for the lead. Idaho eventually took a 54-47 margin, but Tarasow hit a three and Williams made a steal and layup. Williams then assisted on a Schoenhofer trey in the dying seconds of the half, pulling the Redhawks with 56-55.
The first-half point total was the most by SU against a Division I foe in the Barcomb era and the most since Dec. 4, 2013, when the Redhawks scored 56 points in the second half against Oregon.
Williams scored on the first possession of the third period, signaling that she would have an impact all game. She hit two more shots to keep SU close and then two Calhoun buckets evened the score at 67 with 3:39 remaining in the frame. The Vandals looked to regain control and went up by five, but Williams replied with her fifth three of the day. Tarasow scored again late, but Idaho managed an 80-73 difference through 30 minutes.
In the fourth, Williams again scored first. The hosts maintained a reasonably comfortable advantage for much of the period, though, as a Murphy trey made it 94-88 with 2:40 left, but Seattle U could get no closer as time ran out.
Williams' 36 points are the most by a Redhawk in the program's Division I history. Williams shot 14-26 from the floor, including 5-7 from long range. She went 3-4 at the foul line on the day. Williams was a force throughout the contest, scoring eight points in the first period and following with 10 points in each of the last three quarters. She added five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 38 minutes of action. Her point total topped Alves, who put up 34 points on Feb. 29, 2020, against California Baptist.
Calhoun recorded 14 points and Kehoe tallied 12 points and six rebounds, as both players were hampered by foul trouble on Monday.
As a team, SU outrebounded Idaho, 45-36, and hit 12-29 threes. The Vandals shot 37-43 at the free-throw line to support 50 percent field-goal shooting on the day.
The Redhawks will take the next couple weeks off from games before returning to play in January.
"McKenzi was phenomenal throughout the entire game," said SU Coach Suzy Barcomb. "We battled throughout the 40 minutes, but we could not overcome the foul trouble and the free throw discrepancy. It was a fast-paced game and our bench played good minutes today."
The first half featured end-to-end action, high-level shotmaking, and plenty of free throws. SU scored 32 points in the first quarter, marking its most in a period since Jan. 24, 2019, when the Redhawks dropped 32 on Chicago State in the first frame.
Bree Calhoun got Seattle U started, scoring four early points. A layup by Georgia Kehoe made it 6-0 just 46 seconds into the game. Idaho got on the board, but Williams started her barrage with a jumper and a three-pointer for an 11-4 advantage. A pair of Chinwe Ezeonu baskets allowed SU to stay ahead and then Williams set up a Courtney Murphy trey to make it 20-12 after six minutes.
Idaho shot 13 free throws in the first frame, forcing several Redhawks to the bench with foul trouble. That opened the door for freshmen Irena Korolenko and Erin Tarasow to contribute. Korolenko sank a jumper and then a three, while Tarasow finished in the lane late in the period. Calhoun scored twice in the final minute as SU grabbed a 32-25 lead.
The offensive onslaught continued in the second quarter, as Makenna Schoenhofer and Williams both nailed triples. The hosts rallied, tying the contest at 40 with 5:52 to play in the half. Another Williams three-ball put SU back up. Idaho gained a one-point edge, but Williams answered with a jumper for the lead. Idaho eventually took a 54-47 margin, but Tarasow hit a three and Williams made a steal and layup. Williams then assisted on a Schoenhofer trey in the dying seconds of the half, pulling the Redhawks with 56-55.
The first-half point total was the most by SU against a Division I foe in the Barcomb era and the most since Dec. 4, 2013, when the Redhawks scored 56 points in the second half against Oregon.
Williams scored on the first possession of the third period, signaling that she would have an impact all game. She hit two more shots to keep SU close and then two Calhoun buckets evened the score at 67 with 3:39 remaining in the frame. The Vandals looked to regain control and went up by five, but Williams replied with her fifth three of the day. Tarasow scored again late, but Idaho managed an 80-73 difference through 30 minutes.
In the fourth, Williams again scored first. The hosts maintained a reasonably comfortable advantage for much of the period, though, as a Murphy trey made it 94-88 with 2:40 left, but Seattle U could get no closer as time ran out.
Williams' 36 points are the most by a Redhawk in the program's Division I history. Williams shot 14-26 from the floor, including 5-7 from long range. She went 3-4 at the foul line on the day. Williams was a force throughout the contest, scoring eight points in the first period and following with 10 points in each of the last three quarters. She added five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 38 minutes of action. Her point total topped Alves, who put up 34 points on Feb. 29, 2020, against California Baptist.
Calhoun recorded 14 points and Kehoe tallied 12 points and six rebounds, as both players were hampered by foul trouble on Monday.
As a team, SU outrebounded Idaho, 45-36, and hit 12-29 threes. The Vandals shot 37-43 at the free-throw line to support 50 percent field-goal shooting on the day.
The Redhawks will take the next couple weeks off from games before returning to play in January.