Score: Keiser Seahawks 75, Saint Ambrose 70
Records: Keiser (8-2), Saint Ambrose (Iowa) (5-6)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Caidyn Cannon (G), Satori Griffin (G), Carolina de Domingo (G), Avrie Schmidt (F), Jasmyn Hale (F)
Saint Ambrose Starters: Abby Wolter (G), Caitlyn Thole (G), Jayla Stirgus (G), Hayley Flores (F), Payton Calouette (F)
West Palm Beach, FL – The Keiser Seahawks secured their fifth consecutive victory on Monday afternoon, defeating St. Ambrose (IA) 75-70 at home to improve to 8-2 on the season. The Seahawks showcased their championship resolve by overcoming a four-point halftime deficit with a dominant second-half performance.
Satori Griffin led the Seahawks with 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting while adding four rebounds. The senior guard was instrumental in Keiser's second-half surge. Avrie Schmidt delivered when it mattered most, finishing with 16 points while going a stellar 9-of-10 from the free-throw line.
The bench provided crucial contributions to extend the winning streak. Aly Avrach came off the bench to score 11 points on perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the free-throw line, adding five rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes of action. Emelia O'Gilvie orchestrated the offense beautifully, dishing out a team-high five assists while contributing nine points.
After a slow start to the second quarter where the Seahawks managed just 14 points, Keiser regrouped at halftime and came out with renewed intensity. The team outscored St. Ambrose 39-30 in the second half, including an impressive 21-14 advantage in the final period. The Seahawks' free-throw shooting was the difference maker, as they converted 22-of-30 attempts (73.3%) compared to just 6-of-9 for the visitors. Keiser's aggressive play resulted in 30 free-throw attempts, allowing them to control the tempo and capitalize on bonus situations.
The Seahawks dominated the boards with a 35-30 rebounding advantage, led by Schmidt's six rebounds. Keiser also took better care of the basketball, committing just 10 turnovers while forcing 13 from St. Ambrose. The team's 10 steals, including two each from Avrach and Caidyn Cannon, fueled transition opportunities and kept the pressure on defensively.
Keiser jumped out to a 22-14 lead after the first quarter, shooting an impressive 56.3% from the field. Though St. Ambrose rallied in the second quarter to take a 40-36 halftime lead, the Seahawks never lost their composure. In the third quarter, Keiser steadily chipped away at the deficit, outscoring the visitors 18-16 to trail by just two heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Seahawks. Schmidt's free-throw shooting and a timely three-pointer by Jasmyn Hale helped Keiser build a comfortable cushion. Despite a late three-pointer that cut the lead to three, the Seahawks' poise at the free-throw line in the final seconds sealed their fifth straight victory.
- Keiser improves to 8-2 overall with the victory
- The Seahawks have won five consecutive games
- Keiser overcame a 40-36 halftime deficit to win
- The Seahawks outscored St. Ambrose 39-30 in the second half
- Keiser dominated at the free-throw line, attempting 30 free throws compared to St. Ambrose's nine
- The Seahawks' bench contributed 20 points
- Satori Griffin led all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting
- Griffin added 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 34 minutes
- Avrie Schmidt scored 16 points and went 9-of-10 from the free-throw line
- Five Seahawks scored 8 or more points in the balanced attack
- Ties: 1
- Lead Changes: 2
- Largest Lead: Keiser (8), Saint Ambrose (9)
The Seahawks return to action tomorrow facing Morningside at 2:00PM in the last day of the West Palm Beach Invitational.
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