THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran women's basketball team got off to a quick start and never looked back, routing Pomona-Pitzer 71-51 in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) matchup on Saturday night inside Gilbert Arena.

With the score tied at four apiece in the opening minutes of the game, Jessica Salottolo sparked a Regals rally that saw her score eight straight points to widen the gap for CLU.

The Violet and Gold displayed tenacious defense in the opening frame forcing multiple turnovers, which led to easy baskets for CLU. Janelle Porter got into the action early and added four points while Salottolo accounted for 12 of the Regals 20 first quarter points.

With a 20-12 lead heading into the second quarter, Haley Hodgson made her mark with three straight field goals and Grace Derksen drained a three-pointer to highlight an 11-2 run for CLU. Chelsea Jacoby was a key playmaker in the quarter, adding four points, two assists, two rebounds, a block and a steal.

After outscoring Pomona-Pitzer 18-7 in the frame, the Regals went into the break up 37-20.

CLU came out aggressive in the third period as well and took a commanding 61-32 lead at the end of the quarter. Taylor Messick scored all seven of her points in the third and Jacoby added eight points and three steals to extend the CLU lead.

The Sagehens fought back in the fourth but CLU would secure the 71-51 victory.

The Regals forced 26 turnovers, which led to 35 points and outscored Pomona-Pitzer 40-22 in the paint. CLU finished 27-for-64 (42.2 percent) from the field and held the Saghens to just 29 percent (18-for-62) shooting.

Salottolo and Jacoby shared team-high honors with 14 points apiece while also adding four steals each and all 15 players saw action for the Regals including Nia de la Peña-Thompson whoscored her first career point with a late free-throw. Jacoby, Hodgson and Trianna Owen all tied with a team-high six rebounds in the game.

Basha Brulee-Wills had a huge game for the Saghens, racking up a game-high 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Cal Lutheran (8-3, 2-0 SCIAC) will continue conference action at home against Caltech this Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 71, PP 51
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