WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The second day of the Ninth Annual Kim Evanger Raney Memorial Classic pitted the Cal Lutheran women's basketball team against Whitworth. A slow start gave way to a strong finish as the Regals earned another 10-point victory, defeating the Pirates 71-61, to finish the weekend with a sweep.
As a team, Cal Lutheran was perfect from the free-throw line, going 21-for-21 for a 100 percent team showing tonight. The Regals combined to shoot 45.1 percent from the field, using a 14-for-24 (58.3 percent) performance in the second half to counter a cold start in which CLU teamed up to shoot just 33.3 percent. Defensively, CLU grabbed 33 rebounds, with six offensive boards that turned into six second chance points, and earned nine steals and a pair of blocks. The Violet and Gold forced 21 turnovers, converting 17 points off the Pirates' miscues. Additionally, Cal Lutheran was also tougher in the paint, scoring 18 while allowing just 12 in that area.
A quick 7-0 deficit forced a CLU timeout less than two minutes in, but the Pirates built a 13-0 lead. The Regals pulled within five (17-12) at the end of the first frame after Haley Hodgson came off the bench to pour in the first five points of the game for the Violet and Gold. In the second stanza the designated home team settled down and used a 9-0 run to take its first lead of the day. Liana Minassian hit a three-pointer to knot the teams at 17-17 and Taylor Messick put in a pair of free-throws for a 19-17 advantage. CLU maintained the lead until a Faith Emerson three-pointer put the teams back even at 29-29 with 2:40 remaining in the first half. Whitworth added another unanswered three to take a 32-29 advantage into the break.
Out of the intermission, Cal Lutheran won each of the final two quarters, outscoring Whitworth 17-12 and 25-17 in the third and fourth, respectively. The Regals grew their lead to as many as 11 in the final quarter with 4:43 to play.
Leading the way with a near double-double was Hodgson who tallied 15 points and nine rebounds with a huge block in the final minute of action. Chelsea Jacoby chipped in with 16 points and Jessica Salottolo finished with 15 while handing out a team-leading five assists. Taylor Messick added nine points and six boards. Jacoby had the only other block of the night and nabbed a pair of steals as did Grace Derksen. Sofia Cruz earned three steals and handed out three assists.
Whitworth (3-3) was led by KC McConnell with 35 points and Emerson with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
At the conclusion of the tournament, which will end tomorrow, an official All-Tournament Team will be announced, but Jacoby and Salottolo each earned a spot.
Cal Lutheran (3-3) returns to Southern California to play one more game on Monday, Dec. 21 against before the holiday break.
Box Score: CLU 71, WTW 61
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