THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - On day one of the 2010 Posada Royale Best Western Holiday Classic, the CLU women's basketball team cruised to a 71-42 home victory over UC Santa Cruz. The Regals will take on Calvin (MI) on Friday, Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. after the Knights defeated Wesleyan (CT) 59-36 in Thursday's opener.
Box Score: CLU 71, UCSC 42 - F
Box Score: CC 59, WES 36 - F
Cal Lutheran 71, UC Santa Cruz 42 - F
Heading into the game Cal Lutheran was winners of three straight while UC Santa Cruz had lost seven in a row. The two collided inside Gilbert Arena with the hosts jumping out to an early 12-point lead.
Recently promoted to a starting role, junior Chelsey Hastigan has sparked the Regals offense knocking down early three-pointers in the past three games. Against the Banana Slugs she broke a 2-2 tie and drained all four of her downtown attempts contributing a career-high 14 points.
The CLU defense held UCSC to only 15 first half points following Tuesday's effort in which the Regals allowed only eight points to Marietta over the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half Cal Lutheran took advantage near the basket scoring 29 of its 44 second half points in the paint. CLU enjoyed a 37-10 advantage for the game and outrebounded UCSC by a 50-37 margin overall.
Cal Lutheran coming off a pair of games in which it knocked down 31-of-40 free throws, converted only 11-of-28 on Thursday. UC Santa Cruz converted 7-of-11 attempts at the charity stripe.
However after pulling to within single digits following a three to open the second half, the Banana Slugs were unable to pull any closer the remainder of regulation. Alison Scarbrough led the visiting squad with nine points all coming in the second half.
After celebrating a Sunday birthday, Starla Wright has notched double-doubles in each of the following three games this week including today's 16 point, 11 rebound performance. She led a group of 10 CLU players the contributed to the scoring total.
Calvin 59, Wesleyan 36 - F
The Knights held the Cardinals without a made field goal for the first 11-plus minutes and in the meantime built a 16-3 cushion midway through the first half. The defense held Wesleyan to only 11 first half points and under 22 percent shooting for the game.
Calvin's Ally Wolffis led all players with 20 points in only 15 minutes of floor time. No Knights player logged more than 19 minutes with 15 different players entering the game. Julia Hilbrands came off the Knights bench and went 4-for-4 from the floor contributing 10 points and five rebounds.
Wesleyan's Kendra Harris came off the Cardinals bench providing nine points and eight rebounds. Emily Lippe equaled Harris' scoring output and led the team with three steals.
On Friday, Dec. 31 Wesleyan will face UC Santa Cruz at 2 p.m. and Cal Lutheran will take on Calvin at 4 p.m. to conclude the event.