SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant second quarter and overwhelming interior presence, the San Diego Toreros defeated the Seattle Redhawks 71-54 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

San Diego improved to 9-17 overall, while Seattle fell to 5-18.

The most important stretch of the contest came in the second period, where San Diego seized control for good. After a competitive first quarter that ended with Seattle leading 19-14, the Toreros unleashed a 20-14 quarter that flipped the game’s momentum entirely. The run was fueled by a stifling defensive effort that held Seattle to just eight points in the third quarter, extending what was a five-point halftime lead into a commanding 52-41 advantage entering the final frame. San Diego’s 18-8 third-quarter scoring edge effectively put the game out of reach.

Ella Brubaker of Seattle, a guard from University Place, Washington, delivered a game-high 27 points in 40 minutes, adding two assists and two blocks. Despite her individual effort, the Redhawks struggled offensively as a team, shooting just 29 percent from the floor.

San Diego countered with a balanced and efficient inside attack. Forward Eva Ruse of North Vancouver, Canada, scored 20 points, grabbed multiple offensive rebounds, and recorded three blocks in just 28 minutes. Guard Olivia Owens of Columbus, Ohio, matched Ruse’s 20 points and dished out a game-high seven assists. Guard Kylie Ray of La Crescenta, California, added 13 points and four assists.

The statistical disparity told the story of San Diego’s victory. The Toreros dominated the paint, outscoring Seattle 38-20, and controlled the glass with a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities. San Diego also committed 20 turnovers but mitigated the damage by holding Seattle to a poor shooting night and leveraging their own 46 percent field goal percentage.

Seattle’s defense was active, recording 12 steals and forcing those 20 San Diego turnovers, but the Redhawks could not overcome their own offensive struggles. They finished with an offensive rating of 71.9 points per 100 possessions, compared to San Diego’s 92.1. Chloe Emanga of Seattle, from Marbach am Neckar, Germany, scored six points, while fellow guard Jana Vesic of Belgrade, Serbia, contributed five points and five assists.

For San Diego, Helen Holley of Cleveland, Ohio, scored four points, and Jessica Ajayi of Kent, Washington, added eight points off the bench.

The game was a reversal of the teams’ previous meeting on Jan. 8, which Seattle won 68-62. San Diego’s victory on Saturday was more decisive, built on a sustained run spanning the second and third quarters that the Redhawks could not answer.

Seattle next plays at Saint Mary’s on Feb. 14. San Diego’s next game is at home against Gonzaga on Feb. 12.