In the final exhibition game of the modified season, the University of Redlands men's basketball team suffered a 90-105 loss to the Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Saturday afternoon.  Despite shooting 50% from three-point range, the Bulldogs struggled to contain CLU's second-chance efforts, which resulted in a 15-point differential.

With 13:16 remaining in the first half, the Bulldogs built their largest lead of the day over the next four-and-a-half minutes to break a 20-20 tie.  After first-year guard Sam Abere (Lake Oswego, OR) pickpocketed a Kingsman, first-year guard Neil Owens (Pasadena, CA) found an open first-year guard Elijah Randall (Chicago, IL) beyond the arc for his first trey of the outing.  Although CLU responded with back-to-back buckets, Randall, first-year guards Justice Marmara (Arlington, TX), and Tyson Legner (Phoenix, AZ) strung together quality points for Redlands' 31-25 advantage.   

However, the Kinsgmen fought back with a 6-0 run to tie it up at the 6:31-mark. 

Momentum stayed with CLU, but the Bulldogs kept it a two-possession game with key contributions from Abere.  But a late Bulldog turnover allowed the Kingsmen to score twice to end the half with a 47-38 lead.

At the start of the second stanza, Redlands came out firing and quickly closed the gap to two points at 47-49.  Randall set the tone with another three-pointer, which came off Owens' dime of a pass.  While the Bulldogs converted at the free-throw line, Marmara also added a well-timed layup with 17:30 remaining to make it a one-possession game.

The teams continued to trade baskets, with CLU maintaining a slight edge through the midway point of the half.  Over the next few minutes, the Kingsmen got hot from beyond the arc and knocked down four consecutive threes to pull away at 85-68. 

Although first-year guard Robert Power (Pacific Palisades, CA) provided a nice spark off the bench with a made jumper, an assist, and a three-pointer late in the game, the Bulldogs never recovered from the double-digit deficit.

Randall poured in 27 points on 9-for-12 shooting that included a perfect showing from deep (5-for-5) and the charity stripe (4-for-4).  He also hauled in five rebounds.  Marmara added 22 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Owens provided 14 points, three assists, and two steals.

The Bulldogs shot 49.2% overall and 50% from deep, as compared to CLU's 58.9% overall and 42.9% from three-point range. 

Under first-year Head Coach Eric Bridgeland, Redlands wraps up the 2021 campaign with a 2-3 showing in a mix of exhibitions and games.