THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The 2025-26 season came to a heartbreaking close on Saturday night as top-seeded Cal Lutheran women's basketball fell 69-58 to No. 2 seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the SCIAC Tournament Championship inside Gilbert Arena.

In a game that featured five lead changes and three ties, the Regals battled to the final buzzer, trimming the deficit to a single possession midway through the fourth quarter before CMS pulled away at the free-throw line down the stretch.

Cal Lutheran concludes its season at 22-5 overall after an outstanding 13-3 mark in SCIAC play and a return trip to the championship game.

The Regals opened with strong energy, jumping out to a 4-0 lead behind early baskets from Janna Holley and Kaiya Mack. The first quarter remained tight throughout, with Anna Sherman knocking down a key three and Holley converting in transition to give Cal Lutheran a narrow 13-12 edge late before CMS closed the period ahead 14-13.

After the Regals pulled within 18-15 on a Natalie Villamor layup in the second quarter, the Athenas strung together a decisive 12-0 run and pushed their advantage to 15 points with just over a minute remaining in the half. CLU managed a late basket from Alline Ballard, but went into the break trailing 30-17 after shooting 2-for-15 in the period.

Facing a 13-point deficit, the Regals responded with resolve in the third. Ballard scored twice early, Villamor and Mack attacked the rim, and Holley buried a three-pointer to cap a steady climb. A late jumper from Holley trimmed the margin to 44-38 entering the fourth, setting up one final push.

That push came quickly as a layup from Sherman and a three-pointer from Sydney Heyn cut the deficit to 44-43 with 9:14 to play, bringing the Cal Lutheran crowd to life. CMS answered, however, with timely perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities, extending the lead back to multiple possessions. The Athenas went 13-for-16 at the free-throw line in the final quarter to secure the title.

Holley led the way with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in her final game as a Regal. Ballard added 12 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, while Mack finished with 11 points and Villamor contributed 10.

Cal Lu outscored CMS 30-18 in the paint and won the rebounding battle 46-39, but the difference came from the perimeter and the free-throw line. The Regals shot 31.9 percent from the field and 5-for-27 from three-point range, while CMS capitalized on 28 made free throws and timely three-point shooting.

Saturday marked the final game in a Cal Lutheran uniform for seniors Maddi Lee, Deanna Broughton, and Holley, a class that helped deliver a 22-win season, a regular-season SCIAC title, and back-to-back conference championship appearances.

Holley, the senior captain and heartbeat of the Regals, set the tone with her relentless effort and leadership, while Lee and Broughton embodied the commitment that defined this group's sisterhood and championship culture.

Though the season ended one win short of its ultimate goal, the legacy that this team leaves behind extends far beyond the final score and sets the standard for those who will follow.