The No. 2 seeded Regals will compete in the SCIAC Tournament for the 13th time in program history and the third consecutive year. Cal Lutheran will host the No. 3 seeded Chapman in the semifinal round on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Gilbert Arena.
TOURNAMENT BRACKET AND SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Feb. 25
No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer vs. No. 5 Redlands, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 27
No. 2 Cal Lutheran vs. No. 3 Chapman, 7 p.m.
No. 1 Whitter vs. Pomona-Pitzer/Redlands, 7 p.m.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Whittier
There was a stretch where the top-seeded Poets seemed unbeatable in conference play, winning 13 straight games against SCIAC opponents until the Regals handed them their first conference loss just two weeks ago. The Poets dropped two of their last three games of the season, still finishing with an impressive 20-4 record. All-SCIAC seniors Rhe Nae Leach and Lorita Saloom lead the Poets. The backcourt tandem accounts for 37.2 of Whitter's 66.0 points per game while Leach's 21.4 points per game lead the SCIAC.
Cal Lutheran
After finishing as SCIAC Regular Season Co-Champions a season ago, another top-two finish has the 19-6 Regals primed and ready for a deep run. Four Regals, Alline Ballard (13.5 PPG), Kaiya Mack (11.2 PPG), Janna Holley (10.7 PPG), and Aliya DiMuro (9.8 PPG), rank in the top 25 of conference scorers, the most of any SCIAC team. Ballard, last year's SCIAC Newcomer of the Year, posted 14 double-doubles and was third in the conference in rebounding, averaging 11.4 boards per game. The Regals' identity revolves around the glass. They rank second in combined team rebounds and first in combined opponent rebounds, offensive rebounds, and rebounding margin. The Regals also lead the SCIAC in offense with 72.4 points per game.
Chapman
The Panthers and Regals split their season series with both squads winning their home game against the other. The Regals took the first matchup 86-72 at Gilbert Arena before the Panthers got their revenge 69-60 in Orange. Despite finishing 12-13 overall, the Panthers went 9-7 in conference play to earn the No. 3 seed. Like the Regals, the Panthers also boast a balanced attack with three players averaging double-digit scoring led by Shanna Brown's 16.1 points per game.
Pomona-Pitzer
The Sagehens finished their season with a record of 13-12 overall and 8-8 in the conference, securing a playoff berth with two decisive wins in their final two games. Pomona-Pitzer boasts an efficient offense, leading the SCIAC with a 41.3% field goal percentage and ranking second with an average of 6.7 three-pointers made per game. They are led by sophomore guard Jadyn Lee, who has been pivotal in the Sagehens' success, averaging 16.9 points and eight rebounds per game.
Redlands
The Bulldogs capped off their season with a three-game winning streak, which included overtime victories against Chapman and Whittier. Sophomore center AJ Wick ranks second in the SCIAC, averaging 18.0 points per game, while the Bulldogs come in just behind the Regals in total offense, scoring 71.1 points per game. Late momentum has made the last team in into a formidable and dangerous opponent.
NEXT
Tickets are $10 online (including fees) or $10 on-site. SCIAC students, faculty, and staff with Cal Lutheran ID and children under 12 are free. Pack Gilbert Arena as the Regals host Chapman in the SCIAC Tournament Semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
