The University of Redlands men's basketball team handed the 15th-ranked Loggers of the University of Puget Sound (WA) their first loss of the 2011-12 season during Thursday's in-region showdown at the Trinity National Invitational in San Antonio, TX. With lights-out shooting at 61.4%, the Bulldogs drained 11 three-pointers, including seven in an eight-minute stretch late in the second period. Senior forward Stephen Call (Portola Valley, CA), senior forward Mychal Estrada (Redlands, CA) and junior guard Brian Kuklok (Poway, CA) led the long-range onslaught with a trio of three-pointers each.
After facing a one-point deficit on Puget Sound's first scoring play of the game, the Bulldogs uncorked a 78.9% shooting display in the opening frame. Redlands held a 23-12 advantage 12 minutes into the game when senior center Jack Colston (Dana Point, CA) hit back-to-back free throws.
UPS' Edric Egberuare dropped in a three-pointer with five seconds left in the first period, cutting the Maroon and Gray's lead to only seven points.
However, Redlands quickly made it a 13-point game when junior forward Josiah Brensdal (Kent, WA) converted two attempts at the charity stripe with 16:48 remaining in the game.
Nonetheless, the Loggers clawed their way back, eventually tying it up six minutes later. A pair of long-range buckets and solid free-throw shooting contributed to the UPS comeback.
The Bulldogs quickly responded to the only knotted tally of the game by lighting up the scoreboard in the ensuing minutes. Beginning with Kuklok's trey with 10:32 left on the clock, Redlands knocked down seven three-pointers and two additional baskets to score 23 points in less than eight minutes. During this outburst, Estrada hit his three shots from beyond the arc.
Down the stretch, the Maroon and Gray took care of business from the free-throw line, going 10-for-12 in the final 2:45 of the game.
Redlands' Call finished with a game-high 25 points, while Kuklok added 17. Colston and Estrada rounded out the Bulldogs' double-digit scorers with 13 and 12, respectively.
For UPS (10-1), Derek Jobe hit three long balls of his own, scoring a team-high 17 points. Anthony Gittens contributed 14 and Riggs Yarbo came off the bench for 13.
Overall, Redlands shot 61.4%, highlighted by a 64.7% display from long range. The Bulldogs held the Loggers to their worst offensive performance of the current season at 37.5%, which included a 27.8% mark from beyond the arc.
The Bulldogs (4-5) return to Southern California for an exciting match-up at San Diego State University on Dec. 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Viejas Arena. Fans may follow the action via live stats at http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=3553. In addition, a live broadcast of the game will be available through KOGO 600 AM and 95.7 FM, and on the web at http://www.iheart.com/#/live/257/?autoplay=true.