SEATTLE - Seattle U women's basketball returns to Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play this week, heading on the road for contests against California Baptist and Utah Tech. The Redhawks open with the Trailblazers on Thursday evening in St. George, Utah, before concluding the weekend in Riverside on Saturday against the current number one seed in the WAC, Lancers. Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+ with live stats available.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Thursday, January 4 at 6 p.m. pacific time
- Seattle U (1-10, 1-1 WAC) at Utah Tech (7-6, 1-1 WAC)
- St. George, Utah
- Live Stats
- ESPN+
- Saturday, January 6 at 1 p.m.
- Seattle U at California Baptist (10-1, 2-0 WAC)
- Riverside, California
- Live Stats
- ESPN+
QUICK HITS:
RAINING TRIPLES
Jullianna Walker has been letting the ball fly from deep in her first five contests since her return from injury, averaging three made threes on six attempts per game.
The junior from Tacoma, Wash., marked a season-best 17 points with four made triples against UTSA on Dec. 19. The point guard has also made at least three three pointers in four games. Walker's 50% from beyond the arc would rank first in the WAC if she had played in each contest this season.
WAC OPENING WIN
Seattle U began Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play on a positive note, defeating Utah Valley, 58-48, for Head Coach Skyler Young's first career win at the helm. Both Peyton Howard and Mya Moore led SU in scoring with 12 each, while Howard set a new career-high with seven assists and Moore tied her career-best with three blocks.
Julianna Walker made her season debut in the contest, scoring 10 points with three made three pointers to go along with three rebounds. Irena Korolenko provided a strong presence in the paint, grabbing 11 boards and marking a new career-high six steals.
NATIONAL/CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Team offensive rebounds per game (12.8) - third in the WAC
Team blocks per game (3.2) & three point defense percentage (30.9) - fourth in the WAC
Team steals per game (9.9) - #69 in nation & fifth in WAC
Blocks per game (1.36) & overall blocks (15) - Mya Moore, second in the WAC
Assists per game (3.80) - Peyton Howard, third in the WAC
Rebounds per game (7.3) - Irena Korolenko, sixth in the WAC
NEW LOOK ON THE BENCH
The 2023-24 Redhawks will feature a complete new look behind the bench, lead by the sixth women's basketball coach in program history, Skyler Young. Young's first staff at the helm of the Redhawks features Michael Brooks, Rachel Swartz, GeAnna Luaulu-Summers and Makala Roper.
Brooks previously coached in collegiate athletics at Bradley University, serving as head coach from 2012-16 with one season as an assistant coach (2011-12), while Swartz returned to the Pacific Northwest after spending last season at Saint Mary's and Luaulu-Summers makes the move to Seattle from University of Oregon where she served as the Ducks' director of creativity and student athlete support. Coach Young retains one familiar face in Roper as she will mark her fourth season as a member of Seattle U.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All 14 Seattle U home contests this season will be broadcast on ESPN+. For road games, related links to video stream and live stats will be posted on the women's basketball schedule page on goseattleu.com. Fans are encouraged to check the Seattle U Women's Basketball team's official Twitter feed @seattleu_wbb for updates of games in progress as well as news and notes. Russell Brown and former Seattle U Redhawk, Olivia Crawford, mark their second season on the call.
SCOUTING UTAH TECH/CALIFORNIA BAPTIST
The Trailblazers were selected to finish fourth in the WAC Preseason Poll and are led by WAC Preseason Player of the Year, Breauanna Gillen (16.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.2 APG). Utah Tech also features three other players averaging double digit scoring in Maddie Warren (16.0), Macie Warren (14.3) and Maggie McCord (10.9). After taking down Pac-12 powerhouse, Oregon, 86-92, the Trailblazers have lost back-to-back contests against Oklahoma State (61-87) and Florida International (62-68) heading into WAC play.
JD Gustin marks his eighth season behind the bench. The all-time series between Seattle U and Utah Tech is tied at two a piece with both team taking the road contest last season.
The Lancers are off to the best start of any team in the WAC after being selected to finish third in the WAC Preseason Poll. Preseason All-Conference Recipient, Grace Schmidt (12.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG) and WAC leading scorer, Chloe Webb, (19.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG) control the reigns of the WAC"s top squad.
Jarrod Olson marks his 12th season at the helm of the program. The Redhawks are 1-9 all-time against CBU, dropping both matchups last season.
COME SUPPORT
Single game tickets are on sale for the nonconference schedule, click HERE for tickets. Season tickets remain available for the 2023-24 season. Season ticket holders enjoy numerous benefits including invites to special events, merchandise and concessions discounts, reserved parking and more! For more information, to purchase your season tickets or to request information about courtside seating, please contact the Seattle U Athletics box office at 206-398-GOSU or seattleutickets@seattleu.edu
Have a group to bring to a game? Take advantage of discount pricing and in-game experiences. Click here for more information about booking your group.
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.