REDLANDS, Calif. – For the first time in program history the Cal Lutheran women's basketball team won the SCIAC Post-Season Tournament following a 61-58 road win over Redlands in Saturday night's final.
Box Score: CLU 61, UR 58 – F
Cal Lutheran was forced to fight off four potential game-tying opportunities in the final 30 seconds of regulation. Ashley Sevilla fired up a final 3-point attempt that was off target and the Cal Lutheran celebration ensued.
Cal Lutheran never trailed over the final 24 minutes of regulation. Redlands pulled to within a single point on three different occasions in the second half, but ultimately a sub-par effort at the free throw line proved costly.
A first half shooting exhibition by CLU's Chelsey Hastigan featured 11 points and a perfect 3-for-3 effort from beyond the arc. She was one of four different Regals to connect from long range in helping to build a 36-31 halftime cushion.
Redlands spent more time at the charity stripe than shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes. Cal Lutheran was charged with 13 fouls which sent Redlands to the free throw line 22 times. The Bulldogs made 14-of-22 free throws and 7-of-15 field goals by halftime.
Both teams stuck to their respective strategies in the second half. Cal Lutheran pulled ahead by as many as 10 points midway through the period. Redlands chipped away at its deficit at the free throw line, but timely second half 3-pointers from Channing Fleischmann and Hastigan helped maintain the Regals lead.
Erica Whitley made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 24 seconds to secure the win. As a team the Regals converted 15-of-20 free throws and made a season-high 10 3-pointers on Saturday.
Hastigan led all players with 16 points. Fleischmann and Starla Wright finished with 10 points apiece. Whitley led the Regals with nine rebounds and six assists, to go along with nine points.
Marika Staton led Redlands with 14 points featuring an 8-for-10 effort at the foul line. Mariah Barbetti-Cort finished with 13 point and Courtney Carroll 11.
For the second time in as many games the Regals avenged a double-digit road loss earlier in the season with a victory in the SCIAC Tournament. Cal Lutheran beat Occidental 51-49 on Thursday after falling 62-47 in their original contest at Rush Gymnasium. On Saturday the Regals defeated the Bulldogs after falling by 13 at Currier Gym back on Jan. 19.
CLU will be making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2005-06 season. It will be the program's seventh overall trip to "March Madness."
Cal Lutheran (18-9) will find out whom, when and where it will play its NCAA Tournament first round contest during the selection show on Monday, Feb. 27, at 11:30 a.m. PST.