WHITTIER, Calif. - The Cal Lutheran women's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a 65-60 road win against Whittier in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Tuesday night inside Graham Athletic Center.
Entering the game sitting on 999 career points, in just three seasons for the Regals, Chelsea Jacoby buried a jumper with 2:50 remaining in the first quarter to reach the milestone. After finishing with 10 points in the game, Jacoby currently has 1,009 career points.
After jumping out to an early lead with a 20-13 first quarter, CLU maintained its lead into the half until the Poets rallied in the third quarter. Both teams took turns with the lead until the Violet and Gold led by one, 59-58, with just 2:33 to play. Clutch baskets from Taylor Messick and Grace Derksen gave the Regals a five-point lead, to which they would hold on to down the stretch.
Offensive Highlights: Sofia Cruz led CLU with 13 points and four total Regals scored in double-figures. Haley Hodgson added 12 points on 6-of-9 from the field in just 10 minutes of action while Jessica Salottolo scored 11 and Jacoby tallied 10. Jacoby also dished out a game-high five assists and Cruz finished with four.
Defensive Highlights: Jacoby, Derksen and Tatiana Dunlap led the way on the boards for the Regals, each grabbing six apiece while Jacoby and Kiana Gray each swiped two steals. As a team, the Regals held Whittier under 40 percent from the field, limiting the Poets to a 39.7 shooting percentage (23-for-58).
Opponent: Amia Thrash led all players with 21 points after hitting four three-pointers in the game.
Notables: Jacoby has also moved into sole possession of fourth place all-time in CLU history with 166 career free throws made and is just three away from the number three spot. After knocking down a three-pointer against Whittier, Salottolo has moved into a tie for sixth all-time in the CLU record books with 104 three-point field goals.
Cal Lutheran (18-7, 12-4 SCIAC) will begin SCIAC Postseason Tournament play with a semifinal matchup on the road against No. 2 Chapman this Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. The winner of that game will play the winner of No. 1 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and No. 4 Redlands in the SCIAC PST Championship where the winner will receive an automatic berth to the 2016 NCAA Division III Tournament.
Box Score: CLU 65, WC 60
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