THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's basketball (6-0, 1-0 SCIAC) kept its undefeated start rolling on Wednesday night, powering past Whittier (3-3, 0-1 SCIAC) 75-47 for its sixth straight victory in the opening night of SCIAC play.
The Regals opened the game on an 8-0 run, sparked by a pair of early three-pointers from
Natalie Villamor. Whittier briefly answered, taking a 13-10 lead, but Cal Lutheran responded immediately, rattling off 12 straight points to regain control and end the first quarter with momentum.
The Regals continued to dictate the pace in the second.
Janna Holley opened the frame with back-to-back steals, one of which set up another Villamor three in transition.
Alline Ballard added a jumper and a layup inside as Cal Lutheran's lead stretched. Holley capped a strong quarter with consecutive layups, sending the Regals into halftime in control, 43-24.
Cal Lutheran broke the 50-point mark early in the third behind
Sydney Heyn's second three-pointer of the night, while Ballard continued to dominate in the paint. Heyn later buried her third triple as the Regals took a 61-43 lead into the final quarter.
The fourth belonged to the Regals' depth, highlighted by four made free throws from
Kaiya Mack and the first three-pointer of the season from
Makayla Harding to close out the win.
Ballard recorded another impressive double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Villamor matched her with 16 points, fueled by four made threes, and Heyn added three three-pointers of her own.
Cal Lutheran looks to keep its perfect record intact as it continues its season on Saturday at home against Caltech.