The University of Redlands women's basketball team traveled to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on Thursday to compete in Ducey Gym for the last time of the regular season and possibly ever.  Amidst a memory in the making, the Bulldogs also fought for the chance to host a postseason tournament game, but the home team prevailed among the ceremonious night, with the Athenas earning the 55-47 decision over the Maroon and Gray.

After a back-and-forth start to the rival showdown, the Athenas broke a nine-all tie with a 6-0 run.  Senior forward Madison Sanders-Curry (San Jose, CA) got the Bulldogs back on track with a pair of baskets, cutting the deficit to four at 13-17. 

However, another scoring spurt by the opponents left Redlands in an 11-point hole with 4:33 left in the first half.

Redlands managed to make it a nine-point game at 20-29 by the time the teams retreated to the locker room, with freshman forward Nina Newman (San Mateo, CA), junior guard Kameran Dage (Walnut Creek, CA), and junior guard Kaity Lykins (Simi Valley, CA) providing key points in the final minutes.

The Bulldogs refused to go away in the second stanza, eventually fighting their way back to within four points at 40-44 with 7:16 remaining when Dage converted a three-point play.

However, CMS kept the Bulldogs at bay, resulting in the eight-point difference.

Overall, Redlands struggled to find its offensive rhythm against the stingy Athena defense.  The Bulldogs shot 33.9% for the game, while converting only two three-pointers and 50% of their free-throw opportunities.  CMS knocked down just 37% of its shots, but made five more free-throws and one additional shot from long range.

Dage led the Maroon and Gray with 13 points, while senior forward Brittany Oster (Agoura Hills, CA) chipped in 11 points, seven boards, and three assists.  Sanders-Curry provided 10 rebounds, nine points, and two blocks.

With tonight's results, Redlands (19-6, 12-4 SCIAC) solidifies its third-place position in the conference standings and looks forward to the SCIAC Postseason Tournament, which begins Thursday, February 27.  Stay tuned for additional information at www.goredlands.com.