The University of Redlands women's basketball team shot an impressive 69.6% in the second half to nab its third Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) victory of the season on Thursday. Despite trailing by three points at the break, the Bulldogs erupted for 52 points in the final frame en route to the 87-77 victory over the Leopards.
While dropping in seven three-pointers in the first half, La Verne's offense put together an impressive showing that resulted in a three-point lead at the break.
However, the Bulldogs made the necessary defensive adjustments and uncorked a pair of unstoppable scoring outbursts during the second frame.
After the Leopards scored the first bucket to go up by five, Redlands responded with a 10-0 run that was topped off by senior guard Mariah Barbetti-Cort's (Ventura, CA) jumper with 17:13 to go in the game. During this span, sophomore forward Brittany Oster (Agoura Hills, CA) chipped in six of her 20 points.
Just minutes later, the Bulldogs fired off 15 unanswered points, with senior forward Courtney Carroll (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) scoring 11 of her game-high 24 points.
With 7:47 to go in the game, freshman Kaity Lykins' (Simi Valley, CA) lay-in made it an 18-point lead for the Bulldogs, which led to the solid victory.
All five of the Maroon and Gray starters finished in double figures. Beyond Carroll and Oster, the Bulldogs gained 12 points apiece from junior guard Ashley Sevilla (San Diego, CA) and Lykins, to go along with 10 points from Barbetti-Cort.
Redlands also dominated the rebounding battle, earning 37 to La Verne's 26. Oster and Barbetti-Cort led the Bulldogs with eight boards each.
In addition, Carroll and Barbetti-Cort combined for 14 assists.
La Verne's (2-11, 0-3 SCIAC) Kelly Kika came off the bench for 21 points, which included six three-pointers. Kirsten Hurd supplied a 13-point effort, while Tyne McClure chipped in 12 for the Leopards.
Redlands (9-5, 3-0 SCIAC) remains on the road with Saturday's 5 p.m. tilt at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. The men join the women's team in this SCIAC doubleheader and tip off at approximately 7 p.m. in Ducey Gym.