SEATTLE - Seattle U women's basketball takes part in two Western Athletic Conference (WAC) games this week, beginning with one on the road before returning to the Redhawk Center on Saturday. The Redhawks begin play with a trip to Riverside, Calif., to take on California Baptist on Thursday evening, with tip off scheduled for 6 p.m. New Mexico State will make the trip to the Pacific Northwest on Saturday, starting at 7 p.m. and marking the final game of the week. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and feature live stats.
Saturday's matchup against the Aggies marks International Night; individuals looking to learn more about Seattle U's International Student Center can find more information at their table on game day.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Thursday, January 19 at 6 p.m.
- Seattle U (1-14, 1-4 WAC) vs. California Baptist (7-9, 3-2 WAC)
- Riverside, Calif.
- Live Stats
- ESPN+
- Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m.
- Seattle U vs. New Mexico State (9-9, 4-2 WAC)
- Seattle
- Live Stats
- ESPN+
- Tickets
HOWARD CAN BALL
Junior Peyton Howard is playing some of her best basketball at the right time, scoring double-digit points in six of the last eight 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., eclipsed 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).
SCORING CAREER-HIGHS
10 different Redhawks have recorded new career-highs in scoring this season, with Howard's 21 against UC San Diego leading the group. Sophomore Taliyah Clark's new career-best of 20 points came in a victory over UTRGV two weeks ago, while junior Irena Korolenko recorded 19 points against CSUN back in December.
Sophomore Julianna Walker and freshman Mya Moore both logged 18 against Portland State and Eastern Washington, respectively, while freshman Noemie Bariteau (12), Asta Blauenfeldt (13), Sheridan Liggett (10) and Makayla Moore (13) have all recorded double-digit games of their own.
BENCH IMPACT
The Redhawks' bench has provided a great scoring punch throughout the season, with seven different players scoring in the double-digits at least once. Freshman Asta Blauenfeldt was the latest to do so, scoring 13 points against Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 14.
Junior Irena Korolenko has accomplished the feat the most, logging double-digit points in four games off the bench, while sophomore Julianna Walker and freshman Noemie Bariteau, Sheridan Liggett, Makayla Moore and Mya More have all done so once.
TOP THREE-POINT PERFORMANCE
Julianna Walker's six made three-pointers against Portland State on November 17 is currently tied for the second 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 27, while shooting 40.3% from distance. The Tacoma, Wash., native has logged three or more three-pointers in a game three times this season, most recently doing so against California Baptist on Jan. 5.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
California Baptist has moved up to sixth in the conference with -1.31 resume seeding points, holding an overall record of 7-9 with a 3-2 record in WAC play. The Lancers dropped their sole WAC matchup last week, falling 64-79 against Stephen F. Austin. Kinsley Barrington finished with 16 to lead the Lancers, while Dorcas Wu logged 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Lancers are one of the best teams in the conference at sharing the basketball, assisting on the second most baskets (259) and holding the second best assist to turnover ratio (1.05). They have struggled at shooting the ball, holding the ninth best field goal percentage (24.9%) and second to last in three point field goal percentage (24.9%). California Baptist claimed the first matchup between the two this season, taking a 74-62 win in Seattle on Jan. 5.
The Redhawks hold a 1-8 record all-time against the Lancers.
New Mexico State currently sits in ninth with -1.89 resume seeding points, holding an overall record of 9-9 with a 4-2 record in WAC play. The Aggies are coming off a 1-1 week, defeating Sam Houston, 69-48, on Thursday before falling to Utah Tech in a close matchup, 65-67, on Saturday. Ashlee Strawbridge was the leading scorer in their victory, posting 13 in 15 minutes, while Tayelin Grays logged 22 points and nine rebounds against Trailblazers.
The Aggies rank first in team defense, allowing only 58.78 points per game, and hold the second spot in turnover margin with a positive 4.11. They struggle to block shots and shot the three ball, sitting second to last with 2.22 blocks per game and shooting 26.1% from distance. New Mexico State took the most recent matchup in Las Cruces, winning 59-54 on Feb. 8, 2022. The Redhawks are 9-16 all-time against the Aggies.
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.
Stay connected with Seattle U women's basketball and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.