After Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges scored the opening basket, the University of Redlands women's basketball team responded with an 11-0 run and never looked back en route to a 70-53 victory over the Athenas in Thursday's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament semifinal game in Currier Gym.
This marks the Bulldogs' third win over CMS this season.
While taking advantage of a slow start by CMS, which shot just 35.5% on the night, the Bulldogs relied on a well-rounded offense that included eight different point-scorers who combined for a 42.9% clip. In addition, the Maroon and Gray played hard-nosed aggressive ball, which threw off the Athenas' game plan and resulted in 26 Bulldog opportunities at the charity stripe.
Leading 36-24 at the break, Redlands extended its advantage to 18 points on a 10-4 to start the second stanza. Sophomore forward Brittany Oster(Agoura Hills, CA) capped off this run with back-to-back jumpers for the Bulldogs.
A jumper by freshman guard Kaity Lykins (Simi Valley, CA) made it a 20-point game at the 8:22-mark, giving the Bulldogs plenty of momentum for the eventual win.
All five of Redlands' starters scored in double figures with senior guardMariah Barbetti-Cort (Ventura, CA) leading the squad with her 13-point performance to go along with 12 rebounds and five assists. Senior forwardCourtney Carroll (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards while dishing out a team-high six assists. Oster, Lykins and junior guard Ashley Sevilla (San Diego, CA) each chipped in 10 points in the victory.
CMS' junior center Frannie Hemmelgarn (Seattle, WA) stepped up for her team with a 21-point showing to lead all scorers. She also pulled in 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Madeline Barnes (Kenmore, WA) came off the bench for 10 points as the only other double-digit performer.
Overall, Redlands won the rebounding battle by a 44-39 margin.
In tonight's other semifinal contest, fourth-seeded Cal Lutheran University upset the Occidental College Tigers in a two-point game. The Regals nearly blew a 15-point lead but held on in the final seconds to live another day.
As a result, Redlands (19-7) looks forward to hosting Cal Lutheran in Saturday's SCIAC Postseason Tournament final at 7 p.m. in Currier Gym.