IRVINE, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's basketball on Thursday got one of their more competitive games, not only on its current road trip, but also in this season.
However, it still wasn't enough, dropping a 69-58 decision at Concordia University Irvine at CU Arena.
Dallas Martinez (Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Whittier College/Sacred Hearts Academy) paced the Silverswords with a team-high 15 points and, in the process, moved past Simrin Herington (2006-08) into eighth in the program's career scoring list with 517 points. The senior also dished out a game-high five assists, moving her past former teammate Michaella Dean (2018-22) into seventh in the all-time assists list with 140.
Ashley Holen (Watford City, N.D./Minot State University/Watford City HS) added 11 points while
Sameera Elmasri (Shawnee, Kan./Birmingham-Southern Univ./Saint Thomas Aquinas HS) had 10 points, six rebounds and five steals.
Emma Morris (Tucson, Ariz./Tanque Verde) had eight points as did
Morgan Escobedo (Scottsdale, Ariz./Pinnacle) who also had eight rebounds and three assists.
The Silverswords fell to 2-10 on the season and 0-7 in the Pacific West Conference.
Stephanie Lee, a transfer from fellow PacWest member Biola, had 18 points for CUI (6-7, 4-3 PacWest), which advanced to last year's PacWest tournament championship game.
The 'Swords hung around throughout the first half, holding a 23-22 lead on a layup from
Amaya Washington (Peoria, Ariz./Dream City Christian) at the halfway point in the second quarter. But CUI proceeded to run off nine straight before Chaminade's scoring drought ended on Martinez's difficult floater with three seconds left, leaving the 'Swords trailing 31-25 at halftime.
That seemed to create a spark for the Silverswords, who went on a 13-2 run, capped by a 3-pointer from
Madison Gage (Broomfield, Colo./Legacy), giving them their largest lead of the game at 38-33. CUI responded with a Teagan Thurman layup on the next possession, its first field goal of the third quarter, which began an 11-3 run to give them a 44-41 edge at the end of the third.
Martinez would open the final quarter with her only 3-pointer of the game which tied it at 44. After CUI went back in front on a Thurman triple, Escobedo breakaway layup's on the ensuing possession made it a 47-46 deficit.
However, the 'Swords made just two shots over the next six minutes, helping the Golden Eagles to go on a 15-5 run which gave them their first double-digit lead of the game at 62-51 with 2:38 left. CUI iced it with seven free throws to secure its seventh straight win in the series.
Chaminade shot 38.3 percent from the field but also held Concordia just a 39 percent clip. CUI feasted at the foul line, making 17-of-23, and outrebounded CUH, 46-to-33. Both teams did not particularly take care of the ball with the 'Swords making 16 turnovers while the Golden Eagles had 17.
The Silverswords wrap up their road trip Saturday at PacWest-leading Azusa Pacific. Tipoff is set for 12:15 p.m. Hawai'i time.
