Seattle University Women’s Basketball got off to a strong start  Feb. 21, getting up by 13 points against the University of Portland Pilots. Despite maintaining a comfortable lead, a dominant third quarter from the Pilots would result in the Redhawks’ second loss to Portland this season, 61-65.  

In the first quarter, Seattle U shot 10 for 15 from the field to take the lead. At the end of the quarter, the Redhawks led 23-15 after attacking the paint and taking advantage of transitions. 

Senior guard Ella Brubaker played a key part in that start by finishing at the rim and scoring aggressively off the dribble. Brubaker emphasized an aggressive mindset when asked about her offensive approach and what helped the team build an early lead. She explained that in order to create scoring opportunities, she focused on playing downhill and attacking the basket.

Finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds, Brukaber led all scorers. As the Redhawks continued to focus on their defense and rebounding in the second quarter, her early scoring helped Seattle U keep up their momentum. 

With 11 points and eight rebounds, Redshirt Senior forward Tamia Stricklin helped Seattle U take a 38-33 overall advantage on the glass.

“One of our focuses was making sure we rebound,” Stricklin said. “I thought we did a better job this game compared to last game.” 

Seattle U kept their efficiency inside and shot 57.1% in the second quarter, taking a 34-32 lead into halftime. Throughout the game, the Redhawks scored 34 points in the paint. In the third quarter, Portland changed their pace, increasing their defensive pressure and forcing Redhawks turnovers. The Pilots turned those turnovers into points, scoring 30 points off of the turnovers alone. Seattle U ended with 29 turnovers. 

“Definitely the turnovers just killed us,” Brubaker said. “I would say at the end of the day it was controllable stuff.”

Throughout the second half, Seattle U was still within reach despite their lack of ball protection. The Redhawks shot 46.9% from the field during the game with four Redhawks shooting in the double digits. According to Head Coach Skyler Young, he witnessed his team’s determination during key times. 

“We hung in there and fought through a lot of adversity,” Young said. “We were down almost double figures, cut it down to a single-digit game and just came up short.”

Young also pointed out the team’s adaptation to defensive pressure from Portland. Seattle U tried to improve spacing and prevent being rushed offensively as the Pilots applied more ball pressure in the second half. Once the defense changed, the Redhawks tried to turn the ball and target gaps instead of rushing passes into tight spaces. To Young, this was part of the team becoming more comfortable as the game went on, improving their ball skills and identifying chances to go downhill rather than chasing possessions.

Seattle U continued to apply pressure late. With less than three minutes left, Brubaker’s fastbreak three-pointer reduced the deficit to seven points. Before Portland made free throws to end the game, she made a layup in the last seconds to put the Redhawks within three points. Stricklin emphasized that ball security was an important difference and described the closing minutes as intense. 

“I don’t think we did our job of taking care of the ball,” Stricklin said. “I think that was really the main thing. I think if we take care of the ball, it’s a different ballgame.”

Young said the team will continue to focus on the future. The efforts will continue to be aimed at managing the components that they can control, such as valuing possessions, consistently grabbing rebounds and maintaining defensive discipline for the entire forty minutes. He went on to say that, regardless of recent performance, the team should continue to compete with urgency and have hope in the preparation.

“Next coming game, leave it all out there on the floor,” Young said. “And one day it’s going to roll our way.”

As the regular season continues, Seattle U will want to keep up their first-half efficiency and rebounding effort in their next conference game against the Washington State Cougars Feb. 26 at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.