ST. GEORGE, Utah - An early first half lead and a surging second half comeback by Seattle U women's basketball (4-26, 1-15 WAC) was cut off 74-60 in the rematch with Utah Tech (6-24, 1-15 WAC) at Burns Arena in the opening round of the 2025 WAC Basketball Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.
Graduate Christeina Bryan paced the Redhawks with 17 points, including seven makes from the free throw line. She shot 45.5 percent from the field and picked up four rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes of action.
All-WAC Freshman Team member Candy Edokpaigbe scored 14 points in her 30th start this season, shooting 5-of-7 from the floor. She grabbed six rebounds, including five offensive boards, while recording two blocks and two steals. The freshman guard dished out a career best tying four assists to lead all Redhawks.
Redshirt sophomore Olivia Moore was the third Redhawk to score in double digits, posting 11 points while leading the team from behind the arc with two triples. She also recorded four rebounds and a steal in 31 minutes of action.
Freshman Sydnie Rodriguez and graduate Taisiya Kozlova combined for 11 rebounds, with Kozlova grabbing three offensive boards. Kozlova was one of three Redhawks to connect from three on the day. Redshirt junior Tamia Stricklin led the team with seven rebounds on the day, while combining with Rodriguez for four assists. Senior Julianna Walker also struck from behind the arc, scoring five points.
The Redhawks produced 16 points off turnovers and led the Trailblazers in points scored in the paint, 24 to their 20. Both teams scored eight second chance points, while Utah Tech struck with nine more points from its reserves compared to SU. Seattle U out rebounded the Trailblazers by one and picked up 18 offensive boards to Utah Tech's 11.
Seattle U picked right back up from where it left off, commanding the lead over the Trailblazers by as many as seven through the first quarter. With just under 2:30 left in the opening minutes of the game, Utah Tech constructed a run to even the first quarter 13-all.
The Redhawks responded by rattling off a 8-0 run at the start of the second, kick started by Walker in the opening seconds. SU would be sent to the line frequently to help assist in its largest lead of eight after Moore hit a pair with 5:21 left on the clock before the break. Neither team could buy a basket in the waning moments before half, but the Redhawks kept their lead alive from the charity stripe before Utah Tech connected on a buzzer beater triple to take the lead 30-29 at the break.
A middling third quarter with scoring woes for the Redhawks allowed Utah Tech to get comfortable with a lead. Bryan would build a mini 4-0 run in the final minute of the third quarter to pull the Redhawks back within four, 49-45, heading into the final ten minutes.
Turnovers and more scoring droughts pushed Seattle U away from its comeback against the Trailblazers as Utah Tech built its largest lead to 13 as the teams traded free throws through the final minute of play. Kozlova connected from three to pull within ten at the 48.0 second mark, but the Trailblazers would end on a 4-0 scoring run to advance to Las Vegas for the WAC tournament quarterfinal to meet No. 1 Grand Canyon at the Orleans Arena.
The Redhawks cap their 2024-25 season with their first All-WAC honoree since the 2021-22 season while capturing wins at home, on the road, on a neutral floor and in conference. Their time in the WAC comes to a close in St. George, Utah as Seattle U heads into the offseason preparing for its transition into the West Coast Conference this summer.
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Graduate Christeina Bryan paced the Redhawks with 17 points, including seven makes from the free throw line. She shot 45.5 percent from the field and picked up four rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes of action.
All-WAC Freshman Team member Candy Edokpaigbe scored 14 points in her 30th start this season, shooting 5-of-7 from the floor. She grabbed six rebounds, including five offensive boards, while recording two blocks and two steals. The freshman guard dished out a career best tying four assists to lead all Redhawks.
Redshirt sophomore Olivia Moore was the third Redhawk to score in double digits, posting 11 points while leading the team from behind the arc with two triples. She also recorded four rebounds and a steal in 31 minutes of action.
Freshman Sydnie Rodriguez and graduate Taisiya Kozlova combined for 11 rebounds, with Kozlova grabbing three offensive boards. Kozlova was one of three Redhawks to connect from three on the day. Redshirt junior Tamia Stricklin led the team with seven rebounds on the day, while combining with Rodriguez for four assists. Senior Julianna Walker also struck from behind the arc, scoring five points.
The Redhawks produced 16 points off turnovers and led the Trailblazers in points scored in the paint, 24 to their 20. Both teams scored eight second chance points, while Utah Tech struck with nine more points from its reserves compared to SU. Seattle U out rebounded the Trailblazers by one and picked up 18 offensive boards to Utah Tech's 11.
Seattle U picked right back up from where it left off, commanding the lead over the Trailblazers by as many as seven through the first quarter. With just under 2:30 left in the opening minutes of the game, Utah Tech constructed a run to even the first quarter 13-all.
The Redhawks responded by rattling off a 8-0 run at the start of the second, kick started by Walker in the opening seconds. SU would be sent to the line frequently to help assist in its largest lead of eight after Moore hit a pair with 5:21 left on the clock before the break. Neither team could buy a basket in the waning moments before half, but the Redhawks kept their lead alive from the charity stripe before Utah Tech connected on a buzzer beater triple to take the lead 30-29 at the break.
A middling third quarter with scoring woes for the Redhawks allowed Utah Tech to get comfortable with a lead. Bryan would build a mini 4-0 run in the final minute of the third quarter to pull the Redhawks back within four, 49-45, heading into the final ten minutes.
Turnovers and more scoring droughts pushed Seattle U away from its comeback against the Trailblazers as Utah Tech built its largest lead to 13 as the teams traded free throws through the final minute of play. Kozlova connected from three to pull within ten at the 48.0 second mark, but the Trailblazers would end on a 4-0 scoring run to advance to Las Vegas for the WAC tournament quarterfinal to meet No. 1 Grand Canyon at the Orleans Arena.
The Redhawks cap their 2024-25 season with their first All-WAC honoree since the 2021-22 season while capturing wins at home, on the road, on a neutral floor and in conference. Their time in the WAC comes to a close in St. George, Utah as Seattle U heads into the offseason preparing for its transition into the West Coast Conference this summer.
Donate Today
Fans interested in making a gift to Seattle University Athletics can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly impacts all Redhawk student athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. Thank you for supporting Seattle University Athletics!
Follow Along With the Action
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.