CHICAGO – Seattle University women's basketball used stellar defense to finish a weekend sweep at Chicago State Saturday afternoon, with the Redhawks winning, 64-39, in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) game at the Jones Convocation Center.
"We were dialed in on the defensive end of the floor," said SU Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Our energy and communication allowed us to execute on both ends of the floor. We're happy to come home with two WAC wins."
The SU (8-7, 4-2 WAC) defense was prepared Saturday, jumping in passing lanes and using quick hands to disrupt the Cougar attack. A Georgia Kehoe steal and a Bree Calhoun layup made it 3-2 early. McKenzi Williams came up with a steal and set up a Calhoun jumper for a 7-4 advantage with 7:28 left in the frame. The defense sparked a 6-0 burst, as Calhoun and Chinwe Ezeonu both scored and then Calhoun's steal and layup gave the Redhawks a 16-5 lead. The hosts closed with two baskets to get within seven after a period.
Kehoe scored first in the second quarter, and after a Cougar hoop, Hailey Vice-Neat hit a jumper. Kehoe followed with another bucket before CSU scored. Irena Korolenko answered with a corner trey and then a layup a minute later, making it 27-16 with 7:04 showing on the clock.
Later in the frame, Kehoe swatted a shot and found Calhoun ahead of the pack for a layup. Calhoun then cut in front of a Cougar pass and sprinted out for a layup as she was fouled. She converted the free throw to stretch the margin to 32-16 midway through the quarter. Ezeonu and Kehoe scored inside and then Calhoun assisted on a Williams triple as the Redhawks entered halftime with a 39-22 lead.
The game was more balanced in the third quarter, with neither side gaining much ground. Ezeonu and Kehoe both scored around CSU buckets early on. A nifty Kehoe feed set up a Makenna Schoenhofer hoop and then Williams drove and scored while being fouled. She hit the ensuing free throw for a 48-31 advantage with 4:08 to play in the third. Williams capped the frame with four successful foul shots as SU held a 52-33 difference after three periods.
Vice-Neat slammed the door on the Cougars in the fourth quarter, as she sank two three-pointers and blocked a shot while controlling the glass.
The Redhawk defense held CSU to 28 percent shooting from the field, including 0-8 accuracy from long range. SU allowed 39 points, tied for the fewest given up in a game this season, forced 26 turnovers for the second straight day and collected 15 steals.
Williams led with 15 points, making 8-9 free throws, to go with a pair of steals. Calhoun posted 11 points, five steals, and four assists, while Kehoe put up 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. Ezeonu compiled nine points, eight boards, and two steals. Vice-Neat added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Seattle U returns home to host Northwest on Saturday, Feb. 6. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. at the Redhawk Center.
"We were dialed in on the defensive end of the floor," said SU Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Our energy and communication allowed us to execute on both ends of the floor. We're happy to come home with two WAC wins."
The SU (8-7, 4-2 WAC) defense was prepared Saturday, jumping in passing lanes and using quick hands to disrupt the Cougar attack. A Georgia Kehoe steal and a Bree Calhoun layup made it 3-2 early. McKenzi Williams came up with a steal and set up a Calhoun jumper for a 7-4 advantage with 7:28 left in the frame. The defense sparked a 6-0 burst, as Calhoun and Chinwe Ezeonu both scored and then Calhoun's steal and layup gave the Redhawks a 16-5 lead. The hosts closed with two baskets to get within seven after a period.
Kehoe scored first in the second quarter, and after a Cougar hoop, Hailey Vice-Neat hit a jumper. Kehoe followed with another bucket before CSU scored. Irena Korolenko answered with a corner trey and then a layup a minute later, making it 27-16 with 7:04 showing on the clock.
Later in the frame, Kehoe swatted a shot and found Calhoun ahead of the pack for a layup. Calhoun then cut in front of a Cougar pass and sprinted out for a layup as she was fouled. She converted the free throw to stretch the margin to 32-16 midway through the quarter. Ezeonu and Kehoe scored inside and then Calhoun assisted on a Williams triple as the Redhawks entered halftime with a 39-22 lead.
The game was more balanced in the third quarter, with neither side gaining much ground. Ezeonu and Kehoe both scored around CSU buckets early on. A nifty Kehoe feed set up a Makenna Schoenhofer hoop and then Williams drove and scored while being fouled. She hit the ensuing free throw for a 48-31 advantage with 4:08 to play in the third. Williams capped the frame with four successful foul shots as SU held a 52-33 difference after three periods.
Vice-Neat slammed the door on the Cougars in the fourth quarter, as she sank two three-pointers and blocked a shot while controlling the glass.
The Redhawk defense held CSU to 28 percent shooting from the field, including 0-8 accuracy from long range. SU allowed 39 points, tied for the fewest given up in a game this season, forced 26 turnovers for the second straight day and collected 15 steals.
Williams led with 15 points, making 8-9 free throws, to go with a pair of steals. Calhoun posted 11 points, five steals, and four assists, while Kehoe put up 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals. Ezeonu compiled nine points, eight boards, and two steals. Vice-Neat added eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Seattle U returns home to host Northwest on Saturday, Feb. 6. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. at the Redhawk Center.