SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Seattle Redhawks used a dominant fourth quarter to overcome the San Diego Toreros 68-62 in a women’s NCAA Division I game Thursday night at Redhawk Center. San Diego led 44-42 entering the final period, but Seattle erupted for 26 points. The Redhawks sealed the win at the free-throw line, finishing 17 of 19. Seattle’s Ella Brubaker and Tamia Stricklin each scored 20 points. Kylie Ray led all scorers with 23 points for the Toreros, who fell to 6-12. Seattle improved to 5-10. San Diego held advantages in assists, steals and offensive rebounds but shot just 35.8% from the field. Seattle connected on 9 of 22 three-point attempts. Attendance was 243.

SEATTLE (Interstat) — The Seattle Redhawks, propelled by a dominant fourth-quarter surge, overcame a late deficit to defeat the San Diego Toreros 68-62 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at Redhawk Center. In a contest defined by grinding defense and offensive struggles, Seattle outscored San Diego 26-18 in the final period, erasing a four-point Toreros lead entering the quarter. The victory improved Seattle’s record to 5-10, while San Diego fell to 6-12. The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the final minute with the score tied at 62. After San Diego’s Kylie Ray missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer, Seattle’s Ella Brubaker secured the game’s decisive basket. Brubaker converted a driving layup while being fouled with 1:01 remaining and completed the three-point play at the free-throw line, giving the Redhawks a 65-62 lead they would not relinquish. San Diego had two opportunities to tie the game on its ensuing possession, but Hallie Rhodes missed a three-pointer and, after an offensive rebound, Malia Tharpe also missed from beyond the arc. Seattle’s Dylan Mogel then sealed the outcome by making one of two free throws with 10 seconds left for the final margin. The contest was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Seattle, despite committing 18 turnovers and managing only three assists as a team, found success from the perimeter and the foul line. The Redhawks shot 9 for 22 from three-point range and a sharp 17 for 19 from the free-throw line. San Diego, conversely, was hampered by poor shooting, making just 24 of 67 field goal attempts and 3 of 17 from three-point territory. The Toreros did force 18 turnovers, converting them into 22 points, and held a commanding 32-16 advantage in points in the paint, but it was not enough to offset their shooting woes. San Diego’s Kylie Ray, a guard from La Crescenta, California, led all scorers with 23 points and added five assists in 39 minutes. Hallie Rhodes of Keller, Texas, contributed 14 points for the Toreros. For Seattle, the offensive load was shared by Ella Brubaker of University Place, Washington, and Tamia Stricklin of Renton, Washington, who each scored 20 points. Brubaker added a blocked shot, while Stricklin dished out three assists. The first half was a low-scoring affair, with Seattle taking a narrow 28-25 lead into halftime. San Diego found its rhythm in the third quarter, outscoring the Redhawks 19-14 to carry a 44-42 advantage into the final frame. The Toreros extended their lead to four points early in the fourth before Seattle’s offense ignited. The Redhawks used a 10-2 run, fueled by three-pointers from Stricklin and Andjela Bigovic, to seize control and set the stage for the dramatic finish. Statistically, San Diego’s effort was notable in several areas beyond points off turnovers. The Toreros collected 13 offensive rebounds, leading to 12 second-chance points, and recorded 10 steals. Seattle’s defense, however, tightened when it mattered most, holding San Diego to just two field goals over the game’s final four minutes. The game was played before an announced crowd of 243 at Redhawk Center. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, San Diego had entered the game with a 73.6 percent probability to win. San Diego will look to rebound quickly, returning home to host Pepperdine on Saturday. Seattle continues its homestand, also playing Saturday against Oregon State. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in San Diego on Feb. 7.

Preview: San Diego Toreros at Seattle Redhawks, Women’s Basketball SEATTLE (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse difficult stretches will meet Thursday afternoon when the San Diego Toreros visit the Seattle Redhawks in a nonconference women’s basketball game at Redhawk Center. Both programs enter with losing records. San Diego is 6-11 after dropping its last four games, most recently a 57-49 home loss to Saint Mary’s on Sunday. Seattle sits at 4-10 and has lost six consecutive games, including a 73-69 defeat to Washington State, also on Sunday. The matchup features a key battle in the frontcourt. San Diego will rely on forward Eva Ruse, who is coming off a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes against Saint Mary’s. Over her last three games, Ruse is averaging 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. She will be complemented by guard Kylie Ray, who leads the Toreros in scoring and assists. For Seattle, guard Sydnie Rodriguez has been a consistent contributor, logging heavy minutes. She posted 13 points and eight rebounds in 39 minutes against Washington State and scored 16 points in a loss to Portland State last month. Rodriguez and guard Ella Brubaker, who had 17 points in the last outing, will be central to the Redhawks’ offense. San Diego’s recent struggles have been marked by offensive inconsistency, failing to reach 60 points in three of their last four losses. Seattle has faced similar issues, allowing an average of 82.3 points per game during its current six-game skid. This game is the first of a home-and-home series between the teams this season. They are scheduled to meet again in San Diego on Feb. 7. Following this contest, San Diego returns home to face Pepperdine on Saturday. Seattle continues a brief homestand before hitting the road to face Oregon State on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. PST at Redhawk Center.