Although it took more than 13 minutes for the University of Redlands women's basketball team to score its first field goal, the Bulldogs mounted an impressive comeback while stifling Cal Lutheran University's offense during a physical and hard-fought Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) showdown in Currier Gym earlier tonight.

The Bulldogs faced an 11-point deficit while scoring on only six free throws through the first 13:23 of the game. However, Redlands remained patient and focused on its plan of attack, refusing to panic in the eyes of possible disaster.

Junior forward Courtney Carroll (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) sank the team's first basket from the floor, giving the Maroon and Gray a well-needed boost with 6:36 left in the opening stanza. This inspired a 19-12 run with senior forward Mackenzie Smith (Hoquiam, WA) hitting two critical jumpers and a three-pointer during this span.

The Bulldogs nabbed their first lead of the game when Carroll hit back-to-back free-throws to finish out the period, making it a 29-27 game.

Redlands' momentum continued into the second frame as it rattled off nine unanswered points in the first seven minutes. During this stretch, senior forward Allison Clark (Altadena, CA) knocked in four of her six points on the night.

However, the Regals refused to go away and answered with an 11-0 run to tie it up at 38 apiece with nine minutes left on the clock.

On the Bulldogs' next possession, freshman guard Jesse Luersen (Bend, OR) hit a huge shot from beyond the arc, swinging the momentum once again.

From here, Redlands maintained the lead and held on for the important conference win against Cal Lutheran by a 52-46 final.

Neither team shot particularly well with Cal Lutheran going 22.2% from the field and Redlands finishing at 28.8%.

The Regals won the rebounding battle with 52, compared to the Bulldogs' 45, and recorded 11 more on the offensive end.

Carroll led the Maroon and Gray with 11 points to go along with six rebounds. Junior guard Mariah Barbetti-Cort (Ventura, CA) chipped in nine points and nine rebounds. Junior point guard Christina Rios (San Diego, CA) dished out a game-high four assists while nabbing five rebounds.

For CLU (6-6), sophomore forward Starla Wright (Los Angeles, CA) stepped up with 14 points, seven of which came at the charity stripe. Sophomore forward Brianna Parker (Sacramento, CA) added eight points and eight rebounds.

Redlands (7-4) takes on regional-rival Chapman University in a non-conference bout on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Currier Gym.