CLAREMONT, Calif. - In a pivotal Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) matchup on Saturday night, the Cal Lutheran woman's basketball team nearly upset the first place Claremont-Mudd-Scripps inside the Rains Center. Despite a big third quarter from the Regals, CMS rallied in the fourth for a narrow 48-44 victory.
Trailing 23-19 after the break, the Violet and Gold came out hot in the third quarter with 10 straight points to take a 29-23 lead. A few minutes later, Taylor Messick knocked down a pair of free-throws to give the Regals a 35-29 advantage, however CMS would cut the gap to three heading into the fourth.
Both teams would trade baskets throughout the quarter and a Haley Hodgson jumper with 50 seconds left put CLU ahead 44-43. The Athenas responded with a basket on the other end and a costly turnover from the Regals sealed the game.
Offensive Highlights: Messick led the Regals with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field while Chelsea Jacoby and Jessica Salottolo each added 10 apiece. CLU hit three 3-pointers in the game with two coming from Salottolo and one from Grace Derksen.
Defensive Highlights: Messick and Jacoby led the Violet and Gold with six and five rebounds, respectively. Kiana Gray tallied two blocks and Jacoby swiped two steals on the defensive end. As a team, the Regals held the Athenas to just 32.7 percent (17-for-52) from the field and just 21.1 percent (4-for-19) from downtown.
Opponent: Kailee Severt recorded a game high 15 points for the Athenas and Kris Brackmann notched 13. Mara Falahee finished in double figures with a game-high 10 rebounds.
Cal Lutheran (17-6, 11-3 SCIAC) returns home to Gilbert Arena to face Chapman this Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The Regals will honor lone senior Chelsea Jacoby prior to tip-off and the game will also serve as the annual Play 4 Kay event. Each year, teams across the country denote a game to promote Breast Cancer Awareness and to raise funds for cancer research. Cal Lutheran encourages everyone to attend and support a good cause.
Box Score: CMS 48, CLU 44
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