SEATTLE - Seattle U women's basketball looks forward to hosting California Baptist and Southern Utah in two Western Athletic Conference (WAC) matchups this weekend. The Redhawks begin their WAC home schedule against the Lancers on Thursday, with tip off scheduled for 6 p.m. Southern Utah's first ever trip to the Redhawk Center follows on Saturday, with action scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and feature live stats.
Fill the Fridge, presented by QFC, is the the theme of Thursday's contest, giving away up to $500 worth of gift cards to students as they return to campus for the upcoming quarter. In addition, Seattle U Food Pantry is asking for donations to support those in need. For more information and to donate, click HERE.
In partnership with Galatiamo, all students are invited to the pre-game ice cream social for Saturday's game, on a first come first serve basis with doors opening at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Thursday, January 5 at 6 p.m.
- Seattle U (1-11, 1-1 WAC) vs. California Baptist (5-8, 1-1 WAC)
- Seattle
- Live Stats
- ESPN+
- Tickets
- Saturday, January 7 at 2 p.m.
- Seattle U vs. Southern Utah (6-7, 2-0 WAC)
- Seattle
- Live Stats
- ESPN+
- Tickets
CLARK'S CAREER-BEST PERFORMANCE
Taliyah Clark set a new career-high in points for the second time this season, scoring 20 in Seattle U's victory over UTRGV last Saturday. The guard from Lynnwood, Wash., shot 7-for-15 (46%) from the field, pouring in four made three-pointers. Since reentering the starting lineup against Sam Houston, Clark is averaging 15 points and 1.5 blocks per game over the last two games.
Clark's previous career-high was set earlier this season against Portland State on Nov. 17, with the sophomore scoring 19 points on 7-for-19 (37%) from the field with a career-best five made three-pointers.
HOWARD CAN SCORE
Junior Peyton Howard is playing some of her best basketball at the right time, setting or tying a career-high in points in three of the last five games. Howard began this stretch with back-to-back 18 point performances against CSUN and Eastern Washington, shooting 42% from the field over the two contests. The guard from Spokane, Wash., would then eclipse that career-high against UC San Diego on Dec. 21, finishing with 21 points after shooting 7-for-15 (46.7%) from the field.
In this stretch, Howard has also set new career-highs in rebounds (eight), assists (six) and steals (four).
BENCH IMPACT
The Redhawks' bench has provided a great scoring punch throughout the season, with six different players scoring in the double-digits at least once. Freshman Noemie Bariteau was the latest to do so, scoring a career-high 12 points in 14 minutes against Sam Houston on Dec. 29. Junior Irena Korolenko has logged the most double-digit point games off the bench with three, while sophomore Julianna Walker and freshman Sheridan Liggett, Makayla Moore and Mya Moore have all accomplished the feat once.
BEST THREE-POINT PERFORMANCE
Julianna Walker's six made three-pointers against Portland State on November 17 is currently tied for the best three-point performance in the WAC this season. Only Kaylee Best has made more three-pointers in one game, draining seven at Grand Canyon back in 2017. Courtney Murphy was the last Redhawk to make six, achieving the feat three times in 2019.
Walker currently leads the Redhawks in made three-pointers with 22, while shooting 40.7% from distance. The Tacoma, Wash., native also poured in four threes against CSUN on Dec. 10 and three triples against Oregon State on Nov. 10.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
California Baptist ranks eighth in the conference with -1.36 resume seeding points, holding an overall record of 5-8 with a 1-1 record in WAC play. The Lancers defeated UT Arlington, 67-61, in their WAC opener on Thursday before falling to Grand Canyon, 60-70, on Saturday. Grace Schmidt was CBU's top performer over the two games, averaging 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.
The Lancers have assisted on the second most baskets in the conference (206) and hold the WAC's second best assist to turnover ratio (1.02). They rank last in the conference in points allowed (73.62) and rebounds allowed (43.38) per game. California Baptist took the most previous matchup, 83-73, last February in Riverside, Calif., and hold a 7-1 overall record against Seattle U.
Southern Utah ranks fourth in the conference with -0.31 resume seeding points, winning its first two WAC contests and holding an overall record of 5-7. The Thunderbirds defeated both Utah Tech (76-61) and New Mexico State (61-58) in the opening weekend of WAC play. Cherita Daugherty was their start performer in those games, averaging 22.5 points and seven rebounds per game, with a 26 point performance in their three point win over the Aggies.
The Thunderbirds record the second most blocks (4.31) and defensive rebounds (29.62) per game in the WAC, while ranking last in steals per game (five) and holding the worst turnover margin (-6.69). This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.
COME SUPPORT
Single game tickets are now available for purchase on ticketmaster. For more information please contact the Seattle U Athletics box office at 206-398-GOSU or seattleutickets@seattleu.edu.
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