LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Seattle U women's basketball 2022-23 season came to a close on Wednesday night, falling to Grand Canyon, 80-85, in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament. The Redhawks didn't go down without a fight, finishing with four players finish in double figures and shooting 50% from the field and 53% from three.
"We gave Grand Canyon everything we could," said Head Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Our overall growth and progress throughout the season was on full display over these two games. Our staff is very proud of the team's effort tonight and we are hopeful that we will take the things we did right at this tournament into the spring."
Four made three-pointers highlighted a back-and-forth first quarter, with Taliyah Clark hitting her first three triples. The Redhawks started to grab control of the game in the second quarter, shooting 66% from the field and holding the Lopes to just 29% to take a three point lead into the break.
Seattle U built up the advantage in the third, using an 11-2 run midway through the quarter to take as large as a nine point lead. Peyton Howard set the tone on offense in that quarter, scoring 10 points and providing two assists. The Lopes would just never go away, scoring eight straight points late in the fourth to take a six point lead that they never relinquished.
For the second straight game, sophomore Taliyah Clark was the Redhawks leading scorer with 22 on the evening. The native of Lynnwood, Washington, shot an impressive 5-7 from three-point distance, marking the fifth time she made four or more threes in one game.
Asta Blauenfeldt set a career-high in scoring in back-to-back games, finishing with 16 points on 6-for-7 from the field. The 5-6, freshman was a real bright spot for the Redhawks down the stretch, scoring eight or more points in three straight games.
"Asta and Taliyah provided a fantastic one-two punch for us," said Barcomb. "Their effort allowed us to take the lead going into halftime. Asta has really grown into the role of the point guard over the last couple games and Taliyah showed this conference how great she really is."
Rounding out the double-digit scorers are juniors Peyton Howard and Irena Korolenko, finishing with 14 and 14, respectively, as well as combining for eight rebounds and seven assists.
"Peyton and Irena really came alive for us down the stretch," said Barcomb. "They knocked down numerous clutch baskets that allowed us to keep the game close."
NOTES
"We gave Grand Canyon everything we could," said Head Coach Suzy Barcomb. "Our overall growth and progress throughout the season was on full display over these two games. Our staff is very proud of the team's effort tonight and we are hopeful that we will take the things we did right at this tournament into the spring."
Four made three-pointers highlighted a back-and-forth first quarter, with Taliyah Clark hitting her first three triples. The Redhawks started to grab control of the game in the second quarter, shooting 66% from the field and holding the Lopes to just 29% to take a three point lead into the break.
Seattle U built up the advantage in the third, using an 11-2 run midway through the quarter to take as large as a nine point lead. Peyton Howard set the tone on offense in that quarter, scoring 10 points and providing two assists. The Lopes would just never go away, scoring eight straight points late in the fourth to take a six point lead that they never relinquished.
For the second straight game, sophomore Taliyah Clark was the Redhawks leading scorer with 22 on the evening. The native of Lynnwood, Washington, shot an impressive 5-7 from three-point distance, marking the fifth time she made four or more threes in one game.
Asta Blauenfeldt set a career-high in scoring in back-to-back games, finishing with 16 points on 6-for-7 from the field. The 5-6, freshman was a real bright spot for the Redhawks down the stretch, scoring eight or more points in three straight games.
Q2 | ASTA BLAUENFELDT FOR 3??
— Seattle U Women's Basketball?? (@seattleu_wbb) March 9, 2023
SU 31
GCU 28 pic.twitter.com/6KOtW9nx0G
"Asta and Taliyah provided a fantastic one-two punch for us," said Barcomb. "Their effort allowed us to take the lead going into halftime. Asta has really grown into the role of the point guard over the last couple games and Taliyah showed this conference how great she really is."
Rounding out the double-digit scorers are juniors Peyton Howard and Irena Korolenko, finishing with 14 and 14, respectively, as well as combining for eight rebounds and seven assists.
"Peyton and Irena really came alive for us down the stretch," said Barcomb. "They knocked down numerous clutch baskets that allowed us to keep the game close."
NOTES
- Both the shooting percentage from the field (50%) and from the three-point line (52%) rank as the second highest the team has shot this season.
- The final score line of 80 points from the Redhawks tied for the second most they've scored in a game this season.