MARSHALL, Tex. – Cal Lutheran women's basketball lost in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament to McMurry on Friday evening by a score of 79-63. The Regals will end their season with a 22-7 record after claiming their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2013.

Cal Lutheran and McMurry traded blows early on as a layup by Janna Holley knotted the score at 7-7 just over four minutes into the game. The Regals would suffer from some early foul trouble, however, as Alline Ballard committed her second foul five minutes into the game, and Holley picked up her second foul with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter. The First Team All-SCIAC duo spent much of the first half on the bench.

The Regals struggled offensively to end the opening period, while the War Hawks rode some hot shooting to a 17-9 lead.

Cal Lutheran was able to bring it back within five after the first minute of the second quarter, but then Holley was called for an offensive foul at the six-minute mark and returned to the bench with three fouls.

McMurry responded with a big run to take a 17-point lead at halftime, as the Regals shot just 22% from the field in the first half.

Cal Lutheran picked it up offensively in the second half, dropping in 23 points in the third quarter. With four minutes left in the period, a Sara Mills three-pointer cut the lead to 10, but McMurry punched back with a three of its own and was able to maintain a 15-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Again, the Regals were able to cut the deficit to 10 points, but McMurry had an answer every time Cal Lutheran seemed to gain momentum, eventually winning 79-63. The War Hawks shot 45% from distance and 46% from the field to the Regals' 21% and 35%, respectively.

Cal Lutheran dominated the boards, grabbing 24 offensive rebounds and winning the rebounding battle by eight. Ballard and Aliya DiMuro had 11 rebounds each. In the final game of the season, Ballard tied the single-season program rebounding record with 332 total boards.

When not on the bench in foul trouble, Holley and Ballard were able to score consistently. Holley had 22 points in 24 minutes, going 9/11 from the field and 3/3 from three. Ballard collected 18 points on 7/14 shooting.

The Regals end the season on a sour note, but this group should be proud after another successful season resulting in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 12 years.

POSTGAME PRESSER
Click the link above to watch the postgame press conference featuring Kelli DiMuro, Sara Mills, and Aliya DiMuro.