The University of Redlands women's basketball team traveled to nearby Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Saturday afternoon for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game against the Sagehens. In a tight contest that included three ties and seven lead-changes, neither squad gained more than an eight-point edge. After leading 34-32 at the start of the fourth, the Bulldogs endured a cold stretch that proved to be the difference in a defensive-focused contest and suffered a 40-46 loss.
After grabbing the opening tip, Redlands looked to sophomore forward Allison Siksnus (Placentia, CA) to score the first basket of the game.
However, Pomona-Pitzer answered with a 10-3 run over the next three minutes to grab an early lead.
The Bulldogs responded with key baskets from junior guard Yoemma Esparaza (Shafter, CA), junior guard Jade Cheldelin (Portland, OR), and senior forward Brinsley Farry (Ventura, CA) to make it a two-point game after the first quarter.
A similar trend occurred in the subsequent frame, as the home team built a slight lead, which forced the Maroon and Gray to rally back from a deficit. Sophomore guards Brooke Hulett (Poway, CA) and Caitlyn Dixon (Seattle, WA) each played an integral role in the comeback by knocking down a well-timed three-pointer. Quality rebounding by junior forward Sydney Bennett (Agoura Hills, CA) also kept Redlands within striking distance after two quarters.
Finally, the Bulldogs took the lead at 28-27 with 9:01 remaining in the third quarter, with Cheldelin knocking down a crucial and-one play. She scored the Maroon and Gray's next basket, before sophomore guard Courtney Chen (La Canada, CA) sank a jumper to make it 32-29 at the seven-minute mark. After the teams trade scores to close out the third, Redlands held a slight advantage at 34-32 with one quarter remaining.
Following a back-and-forth start to the fourth, the Bulldogs endured a dry spell on the offensive end of the floor, resulting in one final deficit that they could not overcome before time expired.
Overall, Cheldelin led the Maroon and Gray with nine points, while Chen added six, and Hulett and Siksnus each provided five. Farry snagged six rebounds for the Bulldogs.
Redlands (5-7, 2-1 SCIAC) returns home to the friendly confines of Currier Gym on Tuesday, January 12, for a 7:30 p.m. showdown against the Regals.