THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran women's basketball (11-2, 3-1 SCIAC) outlasted La Verne (4-7, 0-2 SCIAC) at home on Wednesday evening by a score of 61-44.
Janna Holley had a night to remember as she joined her program's 1,000-point club while also climbing to second all-time in career assists as a Regal.
Holley entered the contest needing 18 points to reach 1,000 in her career, and she trailed second-place in career assists by four.
The opening quarter was back-and-forth between the two teams, and La Verne's three made three-pointers kept it close. Five points from
Alline Ballard put Cal Lutheran on the board early, and the score was knotted at 13 entering the first break in the action.
The Leopards were able to muster a 17-15 lead early in the second, but a quick 8-0 run from a pair of threes by
Natalie Villamor (both assists from Holley) and a Holley layup put Cal Lutheran in control. Seven more points from Holley to end the period gave the Regals a 30-19 advantage heading into halftime.
Cal Lutheran kept firing in the second half, scoring 14 of the first 17 points in the third quarter via a well-balanced offensive attack. The Regals took a 47-30 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Holley converted four free throws and a breakaway layup to come within one point of the coveted 1,000 career mark. She stayed aggressive, and with about two minutes remaining in the game, she drove to the rim down the middle of the paint, kept her balance, and floated the ball up and into the basket to etch her name in Regals lore forever. The Purple & Gold faithful cheered in the stands as Holley raised her arms in celebration before checking out of the game to a standing ovation.
Cal Lutheran would go on to win 61-44.
Not only did Holley score her 1,000th career point, but she also rose to second all-time in program history in career assists, now sitting at 387. On the evening, Holley dropped 19 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals
Ballard recorded yet another double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.
Kaiya Mack contributed 11 points, adding seven rebounds and three steals. Villamor connected on three shots from beyond the arc for nine points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Cal Lutheran will look to build off this win when it goes on the road to take on Redlands on Saturday afternoon at 4pm.
