After a nine-day break from competition, the University of Redlands women's basketball team returned to action on Tuesday with an important in-region bout against the visiting Tigers of Trinity University (TX).  However, the Bulldogs struggled with turnovers and the Tigers took advantage of nearly twice as many free throws, which led to a 66-77 loss for the Maroon and Gray.

Neither team found its offensive rhythm until a few minutes into the game, when Redlands took an early 3-0 lead on a lay-up by senior guard Ashley Sevilla (San Diego, CA) and a free-throw by junior guard Colleen Goeser(San Carlos, CA). 

But Trinity quickly responded with a 6-0 run and never looked back en route to its fifth win of the young season.

At the 13:37-mark, Bulldog junior forward Brittany Oster's (Agoura Hills, CA) jumper cut the lead to three at 9-12, but the Tigers continued to make their shots to create a 35-24 halftime advantage.  Trinity appeared to be a one-woman show with junior guard/forward Murphy Burns (Oklahoma City, OK) scoring 14 of her team's points in the first half.

Midway through the second stanza, Redlands rallied to make it a seven-point game when junior forward Madison Sanders-Curry (San Jose, CA) capped off a 6-0 run with a long jumper.

After Trinity pulled away minutes later, the Bulldogs clawed their way back at 50-57, as Sevilla knocked down a three-pointer with 6:47 remaining in the game.

Forced to foul, the Maroon and Gray struggled to convert its last-minute shots, while the Tigers hit five of their final free-throws, resulting in the 66-77 loss.

Overall, the teams shot comparatively, but the difference came at the line, where Trinity converted 15 of its 20 opportunities and Redlands was 7-for-11 on the night.

Junior guard Marika Staton (El Centro, CA) provided a steady offense for the Maroon and Gray, as she scored 17 points, which included 2-for-2 shooting from beyond the arc.  She also pulled in eight rebounds and dished out four assists.

Oster recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds to go along with five assists and two steals.

Burns led the Tigers (5-2) with a 22-point effort, while sophomore guard Hannah Coley (Austin, TX) offered 17 points and eight boards, and freshman forward/center Anecia Richardson (Dallas, TX) added 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Head Coach Rich Murphy's 100th career win remains elusive, as Redlands (6-3) hopes to halt its current three-game skid when it takes the floor in Currier Gym on Wednesday at 5 p.m. against Hanover College (IN).  Fans are reminded that this game has been moved up to 5 p.m.