The University of Redlands women's basketball team welcomed the University of La Verne Leopards to Currier Gym on Saturday night for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) matchup. Despite a slow start in the first quarter, the Bulldogs came out firing on all cylinders in the next three periods to ultimately take the game, 83-64.
Through a slow start and a tough, Leopard full-court press, the Bulldogs found themselves in a 12-19 hole after the opening 10 minutes. However, the Maroon and Gray regrouped at the short break to open the second on an 11-2 run to overtake the lead. First-year guard Angelina Roque (San Diego, CA), sophomore guard Chyanne Pagkalinawan (Torrance, CA), and sophomore guard Alyssa Lee (Monterey Park, CA) all chipped in on the run until sophomore guard Alyssa Downs (South San Francisco, CA) hit a three-pointer that lit up the crowd to take a 23-21 advantage at 7:46.
The teams traded scores over the next three minutes of action with La Verne holding a slight two-point lead. First-year guard Marisa Urbano-Sedlund (San Diego, CA) subbed in at 4:53 and made an immediate impact, draining back-to-back treys and snagging a rebound in just over a minute of action. Downs immediately followed with another deep ball to go up 34-29 at 3:04. Senior guard Cassandra Lacey (Victorville, CA) dished out all three assists.
The Bulldogs more than doubled their first-quarter points, scoring 28 in the second to carry a 40-35 lead into halftime.
Redlands opened the third the same way they opened the second, on an 11-3 run. Pagkalinawan and sophomore forward Hannah Jerrier (Canton, MA) combined for the 11 points as Pagkalinawan knocked down a jumper and a trey-ball while Jerrier tossed up two jumpers and a layup. Jerrier also snagged a steal that turned into points while Pagkalinawan assisted two of Jerrier's buckets. Redlands now held a 53-38 lead at the 5:39-minute mark in the third.
The Maroon and Gray continued to build its lead with another three-pointer from Downs and four made free-throws from first-year forward Julia Balesteri (Pleasanton, CA) and first-year guard Alexis Machain (San Diego, CA) for a 66-49 Bulldog advantage. Balesteri played hard on both ends of the court, finishing the third with a huge quarter-ending block.
The fourth quarter was plagued with turnovers and fouls for both teams, however, Redlands stayed calm at the line, making 12 of 15 free-throws to ultimately take the game, 83-64.
Downs led the team with 18 points and a 4-for-7 clip from downtown. Lacey followed with 16 points. Three other players scored in double-figures as Balesteri chipped in 11 while Pagkalinawan and Jerrier each added 10. Jerrier notched a double-double with her 10 points and 11 rebounds. Balesteri and junior guard Kellis Dack (Vancouver, WA) each hauled in eight boards.
As a team, Redlands shot 47.5% from the field, 61.5% from beyond the perimeter, and 73.1% from the charity stripe.
The Bulldogs (14-4, 9-0 SCIAC) head to Cal Lutheran University on Saturday, February 1, for a 4 p.m. game against the Regals.
