SEATTLE — Winning their first conference game since January 2020, the Chicago State women's basketball team (2-10, 1-2 WAC) beat Seattle U, 64-57, on Monday.
The win marks the Cougars' first Western Athletic Conference victory since January 18, 2020 against CSU Bakersfield, marking a span of 723 days. It's also the first WAC win for Sardin.
"It's on these women," head coach Tiffany Sardin said. "They're stepping up to the challenge that's being put out to them.
"It feels amazing. These women are fighting and working hard. They are trusting the process. They are the epitome of hard work and staying the course."
The victory stands as Chicago State's second road win of the season. The Cougars previously edged Wisconsin in overtime, 71-63, in Madison on November 22.
And in her homecoming, former Washington State Player of the Year Aaliyah Collins scored a career-high 26 points, also adding 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. In front of a large family-and-friends contingent behind the Cougars' bench, Collins posted double figures for the tenth time in her freshman season. The double-double was also the first of her Chicago State career.
"Aaliyah has been doing this for us all season," Sardin said. "That's why she came to us. She wants to be a part of what we're doing. We're thankful to have had her family sitting behind us, and they brought the energy."
The Cougars forced 19 turnovers on the afternoon. Quentarra Mitchell scored 13 points and snagged eight rebounds, while Janiah Newell dropped in 12 points and converted key free throws down the stretch.
Early on, the Cougars' aggressive defense stymied Seattle, allowing only three points in the first five minutes. Mitchell and Collins sunk layups to put Chicago State ahead, 6-3.
The Redhawks responded, going on a 9-2 run keyed by Bree Calhoun to pull ahead, 12-8. The two teams traded blows down the stretch of the frame and Seattle U led, 17-12, at the end of the first.
In the second, Collins began to heat up for the Cougars. She scored four points in the first five minutes, including a steal-and-score in transition to pull CSU to within 23-20 at the 5:00 mark. A few minutes later, two Courtney Murphy three-pointers for the Redhawks made it 34-22 Seattle with 1:53 to halftime, but Collins closed with a layup and two free throws to make it 34-26 at the break.
The third quarter featured two Mitchell free throws and two Newell jumpers to start, pushing the Cougars to within three points at 34-31. Moments later, Seattle's Bree Calhoun nailed two free throws to make the score 36-31.
Then, the Cougars unleashed a run, featuring scores from Collins, Mitchell and Newell, CSU pulled ahead 41-38 on the rally, forcing a Seattle timeout at the 5:24 mark of the third quarter.
After the timeout, however, the Redhawks managed two quick scores to pull back ahead. The RedHawks led, 44-43, at the end of the third, with Collins' 18 points leading both teams.
In the fourth quarter, Seattle U opened with a Georgia Kehoe jumper to pull ahead, 46-43, before Laura Segues drilled a three, tying the game at 46 apiece. Mitchell and Collins then each scored to bring it to 50-46 at the seven-minute mark.
After the two sides traded buckets, the Cougars' lead was 53-49 at the 2:45 mark of the fourth.
After a Calhoun jumper, Seattle was within two points, 53-51. Collins responded with a second-chance layup to extend the lead to 55-51.
Then, after a Collins free throw and a McKenzi Williams layup, Newell drained a three-pointer at 1:22 to extend the CSU lead to 59-53.
Down the stretch, the Cougars stayed efficient from the free-throw line to clinch the win.
"They're some fighters," Sardin said. "There's no other way to put it. It's been a challenging road for us. This team stays the course. We're banged up but fighting."
The Cougars next return home to Chicago to face UTRGV on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. and Lamar on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., both games taking place at the Jones Convocation Center.
About Chicago State
Chicago State University Athletics is comprised of 15 intercollegiate teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. Melvin Bland was the first CSU student-athlete to gain NAIA All-American status in 1974 as a wrestler. Fred Evans became the first black swimmer ever to win a national championship in 1975. CSU's women's basketball team earned a spot in the 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational and CSU's men's basketball team won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament title and made an appearance in the CollegeInside.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Men's Outdoor Track & Field 4x100-Meter Relay team were 2019 Honorable Mention All-Americans and WAC Champions. Their feat marked the first time the Chicago State's men's track & field program was represented at the national meet.
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