The University of Redlands women’s basketball team scored the first basket of tonight’s Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game against the visiting Pomona-Pitzer Colleges and never relinquished the lead en route to a 71-57 victory over the Sagehens.

The Bulldogs garnered a nine-point lead at the break and then blew it open during the second half with solid shooting from everyone on the floor.

Senior guard Ali Bueno (San Jose, CA) knocked down a three-pointer with 11:48 to go, making it a 17-point game.

Redlands gained its largest advantage of 21 points with 4:50 left on the clock.

Although the Sagehens pulled within 14 on two occasions, the Bulldogs walked away with the solid win, earning the top spot in the conference standings with a 4-0 record.

The Maroon and Gray knocked down 56.4% of its shots, going 31-for-55 from the field. Redlands also improved its abysmal first-half showing from long range, going from 11.1% to 50.0% on 5-for-10 shooting.

Redlands won the battle of the boards with a 41 to 32 advantage over the Sagehens.

Sophomore Courtney Carroll (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) nabbed her ninth double-double of the season, racking up 18 points and 14 rebounds. She also tallied an incredible six blocks against the Sagehens.

Senior forward Meghan Yetman (Danville, CA) and Bueno added 12 points apiece, with Bueno hitting four three-pointers. Yetman also provided six rebounds and six assists. Junior guard Mariah Barbetti-Cort (Ventura, CA) contributed eight rebounds and three assists for the Bulldogs.

Redlands (12-3, 4-0 SCIAC) sits alone at the top of the SCIAC standings with tonight’s win. The women take to the road on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. conference game against Whittier College.