SAN DIEGO — After recording 31 points and 12 rebounds for her first collegiate double-double Thursday against Washington State, Olivia Owens' offense continued with a co-team high 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds and seven rebounds Saturday to fuel San Diego women's basketball to a 71-54 victory over Seattle U inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

"I think it's just trusting myself, trusting the process and my coaches and teammates having a lot of confidence in me," Owens said. "So just going out there playing basketball and having fun.

"The game has definitely started to slow down a little bit more and understand it a lot better. It's been nice to kind of settle in and absorb all that." 

With the game tied at 36 early in the third quarter, Owens put the finishing touches to a critical 10-0 run that kept the Redhawks (5-19, 1-12 WCC) off the board for more than five minutes.

"The first quarter was definitely rough for us, but to be able to bounce back to that and just having a lot of confidence in our fight back and the way we play basketball," Owens said. "Once we're able to settle down, we were able to go and push in transition."

The defense from the Toreros (9-17, 3-10 WCC) was on display as they outscored Seattle 37-21 and held them to 19% shooting in the final 20 minutes. 

As the Toreros also did not allow the Redhawks to score a field goal over the final five minutes, USD secured a single-game program record 63 rebounds. 

"Really proud of our rebounding effort and really the last few games," head coach Blanche Alverson said. "We've talked about rebounding being a difference maker for us and so when we're on the boards and not allowing a team to get second-chance opportunities, I think that's when we're at our best.  

On the glass, Eva Ruse recorded a game-high 18 boards with 20 points of her own for fourth double-double of the season

"It's great to have that (performance) and teammates cheering you on and be so confident in you to do that," said Ruse, who shot 6-of-10 from the floor and also made eight of her nine free throws. "Having that confidence definitely helps. 

"One of my goals every game is to get those boards and I think everybody did a great job boxing out." 

As the fourth quarter progressed, San Diego went on another long run, this one being 9-0 to extend the lead to its largest 19, 68-48, with 2:34 left. 

"It's fun. Our energy is so great. When things are going well for us, I feel like our team really feeds off that,"  head coach Blance Alverson said. "We're young but we also have a lot of energy when things are going well. When our crowd can get into it, we have a good time, we're reminded that basketball is a fun game. When we're playing well and we're playing confident, I think that's when we're at our best."  

Kylie Ray also continued her double-digit scoring performance with a baker's dozen to give USD three players with at least 10 points. 

San Diego also got production off the bench. Jessica Ajayi, who recorded eight points, made two 3-pointers, including one to end the second quarter. She ended the game with a team-best efficiency rate of +27. 

Ajayi's shot from long range capped off a 10-0 run to go into halftime with a one-point lead. 

As a result, from the 3:13 mark of the second quarter to the 5:21 mark of the third quarter, USD outscored the Redhawks 20-3. 

The Redhawks were led by Ella Brubaker, who recorded a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds  

The Toreros wrap up their three-game homestand Thursday when they host Gonzaga. Tipoff between USD and the Bulldogs is at 6 p.m. inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The game will be live streamed on ESPN+ with (broadcasters) on the call. USD will also honor National Girls and Women in Sports Day.     

NOTABLE

• San Diego's 63 rebounds set a new single-game program record 
• USD held Seattle to a field goal percentage of 29%, the best mark against a Div. I opponent this season 
• The Toreros offense recorded 16 assists, tied for the best mark this season against a Div. I opponent
• Eva Ruse recorded 20 points, 18 rebounds, three blocks and two steals for her fourth double-double of the season. The 18 rebounds are the sixth-most boards in a single-game in program history while the 20 points tie her season-high since reaching 20 against Southeast Missouri St. (November 30)
• Olivia Owens recorded 20 points and 13 rebounds for her second straight double-double.