The University of Redlands women's basketball team faced the Bethesda University Flames in a non-conference showdown in Currier Gym on Saturday night. The Maroon and Gray brought home a solid win to close out the Redlands Tip-Off Classic in fine fashion.
Redlands came firing as the home team outscored their opponents, 22-10, in the first quarter. Senior guard Courtney Chen (La Canada, CA) led the offense by tossing in a lay-up for a successful and-one play.
The Flames subsequently converted a jumper to keep the score close at 3-2, but senior guard Jade Cheldelin (Portland, OR) hit her first of many jumpers on the night to distance the spread. Cheldelin made her next three sequential shots, with senior forward Sydney Bennett (Agoura Hills, CA) getting in on the action by sinking a jumper.
With the score at 13-8, freshman guard Cassandra Lacey (Victorville, CA) dropped a three-point basket and made her next two free-throws to extend Redlands' lead to 10.
Redlands held its greatest lead throughout the second and third quarters, but went on a shooting spree in the fourth en route to a massive 26-point showing by shooting 75% as a team.
In the fourth, sophomore guard Mandy Silver (Scotts Valley, CA) enjoyed a break-out quarter by registering all 10 of her total points. Cheldelin and Silver also hauled in a combined 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs in a solid effort.
Cheldelin kept the baskets coming and finished with a career-high 24 points in the game.
Overall, the team shot 44.6% from the field and an incredible 70% from the charity stripe.
The Bulldogs (1-1) hit the road for their next three games, traveling to Oregon to face George Fox University, Willamette University, and Lewis & Clark College. Competition days include November 23, 25 and 26.