Led by a big game from Kylie Burns, the UAA women's basketball team got back to winning by double-digits Thursday.
The Seawolves, who won four straight games by double-digits before splitting a pair of close road games last week, returned home to blast Western Oregon 97-71 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.
"It feels really good to be home," said Burns, who racked up 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. "We're trying to defend our court and we got that done tonight."
UAA improved to 11-2 overall and 4-1 in GNAC play, its only league loss coming last week against then No. 17 Northwest Nazarene. It was the first game after the holiday break, and UAA coach Ryan McCarthy said the Seawolves may have been a little out of shape in the 86-80 loss.
UAA was back to its fast-paced style Thursday, racing to a 21-10 lead and pushing hard toward the 100-point mark until the end.
"I'm pleased with our effort tonight, and it's a great way to take a step forward," McCarthy said.
Western Oregon (4-8, 1-3 GNAC), led by a game-high 20 points from Dana Goularte, cut the UAA lead to five points late in the first half when Chantel Divilbiss drilled a 3-pointer. UAA rebuilt its double-digit lead in a hurry, going up 45-34 on a trey from Alyssa Hutchins with one second left to play in the half.
Hutchins made a team-high three 3-pointers, with her second and third coming on back-to-back possessions in the second half, giving UAA a 61-40 lead with more than 15 minutes to play.
"That's my role, to come in and give some energy and hit some 3s," said Hutchins, who finished with 12 points off the bench. "When (McCarthy) calls me to go in, that's usually what it's for."
Hutchins' high energy was contagious and created a spark for the rest of the team, Burns said.
"She was just pumped and energetic before the game and that made me confident," Burns said.
UAA got 16 points from Alli Madison and 14 from Emily Craft. Madison did most of her damage on fast-break opportunities and the 6-foot-2 Craft knocked in the bulk of her buckets from close range.
Burns, a 5-9 senior forward, did a little bit of everything, draining two 3-pointers to compliment her solid post play. She hit 8 of 13 shots to help the Seawolves shoot 51 percent, and her three steals were part of a team defensive effort that helped produce 32 Western Oregon turnovers.
"She's been really, really great for us, real special," McCarthy said. "We get on her a lot in practice and we hold her to a really high standard, but she responds every time and I'm really proud of her."
UAA will conclude its two-game home stand Saturday with a 7 p.m. game against Saint Martin's.
Reach Jeremy Peters at jpeters@adn.com or 257-4335.
Western Oregon (71) -- Goularte 9-13 2-2 20; Henry 2-6 6-8 10; Divilbiss 4-6 4-4 13; Goddard 0-2 1-2 1; Miller 2-5 3-4 8; Akins 1-6 3-4 5; Mottershaw 0-4 0-0 0; Steiger 2-5 2-2 7; Fowler 3-3 1-2 7; Titus 0-0 0-0 0; Rodriguez 0-0 0-0 0. Totals -- 23-50 22-28 71.
UAA (97) -- A. Madison 7-15 0-0 16; Wright 3-7 3-4 9; Burns 8-13 1-3 19; Robertson 2-5 1-1 5; J. Madison 3-5 2-2 8; Castle 0-0 0-0 0; Davis 2-5 1-2 7; Hutchins 4-6 1-2 12; Buchanan 1-2 0-0 3; Devine 2-4 0-0 4; Craft 6-12 2-2 14. Totals -- 38-74 11-16 97.
WOU 34 37 71
UAA 45 52 97
3-point field goals -- WOU 3-13 (Divilbiss 1-3; Goddard 0-1; Miller 1-3; Akins 0-3; Mottershaw 0-1; Steiger 1-2. UAA 10-24 (A. Madison 2-5; Burns 2-5; J. Madison 0-2; Davis 2-5; Hutchins 3-5; Buchanan 1-1; Devine 0-1). Rebounds -- WOU 34 (Goularte 8); UAA 31 (Burns 7). Total Fouls -- WOU 15; UAA 22. Fouled out -- Devine, UAA. Assists -- WOU 20 (Miller 6); UAA 34 (Robertson 7). Turnovers -- WOU 32 (Divilbiss 8); UAA 18 (Robertson 6). Blocks -- WOU 6 (Goularte 4); UAA 3 (three with 1). Steals -- WOU 11 (Goularte 3); UAA 18 (Robertson 5). A -- 479. Officials -- Thompson, Leitch, Revet.
By JEREMY PETERS