SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The University of Redlands women's basketball team (3-2) ended their UC Santa Cruz Tip-Off with an 89-63 loss to Bethany College (W. Va.) Saturday afternoon.

It was a tough start for the young Bulldogs as they allowed the first 14 points of the game and waited nearly five minutes for their first basket which came from AJ Wick who was assisted by Colby Zorich. Caitlyn Constantino then made it a back-to-back baskets as Wick got the assist on her made jumper.

Redlands were able to get within eight, 20-12, after a 6-2 run that included a pair of made free throws from Aliyah Anderson, a jumper in the paint by Zorich and two free throws, but the Bison ended the first with two threes and a layup as the Bulldogs trailed 28-12.

Leaya Mckinney got things started on a positive note in the first 30 seconds of the second as she scored in the paint. The problem for the Bulldogs is that over the next five minutes they scored only three points as they trailed by their largest margin of 28, 45-17, with 4:11 left in the half.

Despite the struggles, Redlands continued to battle the rest of the half as they got within 21, 47-26, as Carly Hicks made a three off an Anderson assist and Kayden Sanders made all four of her free throws. At the break it was a 23-point deficit, 49-26.

The closest the Bulldogs were in the third was 24, 52-29, after Hicks made another three, this time off a Zorich assist, but the Bison continued their strong play as they led by 29, 74-45, after 30 minutes of play.

In the final 10-minute quarter, the Bulldogs trailed by 36, 85-49, but over the final 3:24 they were able to cut the deficit to 26, 89-63, to end the game. During those three plus minutes Mckinney had six points, Sanders added two points and an assist, Taylor Whaley hit a pair of free throws, and Nataly Bravo finished with a last second assist.

Wick barely missed another double-double as she had nine points (4-9 FG) and 12 rebounds. Anderson continued to lead the offense with a game-high 15 points (5-12 FG, 5-6 FT).

Redlands returns to Currier Gym this coming Thursday, November 30 at 6:00 p.m. as they host The Master's University.