The University of Redlands women's basketball team broke the mold with a campaign for the ages that culminated in the program's first-ever NCAA tournament win. Under the direction of Head Coach Rich Murphy, the Bulldogs found multiple ways to win en route to a 22-7 overall record that included a 14-2 mark in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action. The team secured the Bulldogs' first outright conference title since 1992-93 and the second in Murphy's tenure before winning the SCIAC Postseason Tournament for the second time in the event's 13-year history.
The Bulldogs began the season with a 3-3 showing against non-conference foes throughout the month of November. First, the team topped Southwestern University (TX) and St. Catherine University (MN) at the Redlands Tip-Off Classic for a stunning start. First-year guard Marisa Urbano-Sedlund (San Diego, CA) put up 14 points to fuel a 37-point outburst from the home team's bench in the season opener against Southwestern. In a tighter 53-50 result, Redlands benefitted from sophomore guard Alyssa Downs' (South San Francisco, CA) well-timed three-pointers on her way to a 12-point outing against St. Catherine. In a 68-65 comeback over Pacific Lutheran University (WA), senior guard Cassandra Lacey (Victorville, CA) knocked down 19 points, including a momentum-changing bucket midway through the first half. In addition, the Bulldogs saw first-year forward Julia Balesteri (Pleasanton, CA) tally seven points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals during 16 efficient minutes.
Following a short skid that included a pair of losses by a combined five points, Redlands jumped right into conference competition with back-to-back wins. Against the University of La Verne, the Bulldogs converted a 39-30 halftime lead into a 73-67 win. Sophomore forward Hannah Jerrier (Canton, MA) provided pivotal plays with a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 13 points. Three days later, Downs, Lacey, and Urbano-Sedlund each scored in double figures to carry the Bulldogs to a 64-50 victory over Whittier College.
During a rare Monday contest on December 16, Redlands captured a 54-42 win over Piedmont College (GA) to secure Murphy's 200th career win in his 13th season. The Bulldogs used an explosive second quarter to secure a lead they never relinquished. The Maroon and Gray extended the advantage to double digits early in the fourth quarter, as first-year guard Angelina Roque (San Diego, CA) scored the opening four points of the period. Junior guard Kellis Dack (Vancouver, WA) added defensive firepower with a team-high 13 rebounds by the final whistle.
Redlands went 2-1 to close out December's games while notching solid wins over Occidental College and Lewis & Clark College (OR). Four players scored in double digits against the Tigers, as the Bulldogs remained undefeated in SCIAC action. Junior guard Alyssa Lee (Monterey Park, CA) and Roque led a 33-point effort by the bench with 10 and 13 points, respectively. The U of R rolled to a 66-44 decision over the Pioneers while utilizing 13 different players throughout the game.
The Bulldogs continued to impress in January by notching wins over six conference opponents to improve to 9-0. After defeating Cal Lutheran University and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges by a combined 39 points, Redlands faced its toughest SCIAC game on January 15 against rival Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges and earned its first win over the Athenas since the 2016-17 season. After trailing for most of the game, the Bulldogs relied on their stingy defense and well-timed buckets to mount an impressive comeback for the 49-47 win. Lacey, Downs, Balesteri, and sophomore guard Chyanne Pagkalinawan (Torrance, CA) accounted for all of Redlands' 21 points in the third quarter and 10 of 14 points in the final frame.
This inspirational win was followed by a true test of character, as the Maroon and Gray edged Caltech in a 63-60 nailbiter. Behind a 20-assist effort, the Bulldogs built a solid 50-31 lead by the 2:07-mark of the third quarter. Nonetheless, the Beavers fought back with a 10-0 run and eventually cut it to three with about two minutes remaining. Late buckets by Jerrier and Downs kept Redlands in front for the hard-fought win.
On January 22, the Bulldogs celebrated Lacey's 1,000th point when they captured a 62-48 win over the visiting Chapman University Panthers. While providing a team-leading 15 points, she became the 10th player in Redlands women's basketball history to reach this milestone.
Despite dropping two games in SCIAC action in early February, Redlands recovered with quality decisions over Occidental, Chapman, and Caltech. Against Oxy, the Bulldogs converted 27 free-throws for a season-high that propelled them to a 70-56 win on the road. In its 75-68 victory over Chapman, Redlands unleashed a 34-point fourth quarter, which included 20 made free-throws in the final five minutes. Downs accounted for 19 free-throws in these two games alone. The Maroon and Gray left no doubt in its second meeting with Caltech, as a 26-4 first-quarter fueled an 85-44 triumph on the road. Jerrier played a big role in the result with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The team's success set up a storybook ending to the regular season on Senior Night, as the Bulldogs clinched the SCIAC title with a 54-49 victory over CMS in front of the Currier faithful. After honoring Lacey's stellar career, Redlands overcame a late deficit with gritty defense and clutch free-throw shooting. First-year guard Alexis Machain (San Diego, CA) tallied five points and four assists in just 10 minutes of action, while Jerrier paced the Bulldogs with 13 points and eight rebounds.
After putting the icing on the regular season with a 54-51 win at Whittier College, the Maroon and Gray knocked off Pomona-Pitzer, 53-51, in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament semifinal. Lee provided huge plays off the bench with eight points, four rebounds, and one steal. The Bulldogs also looked to Downs to step up with a 19-point effort and Jerrier to haul in a career-high 18 rebounds.
For the third time this season, Redlands found a way to defeat CMS, with the final victory coming in overtime during the SCIAC Postseason Tournament championship game. After the Athenas hit a buzzer-beater to force the extra period, the Bulldogs remained poised with their eyes on the prize of an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. Lacey scored the first four points of the overtime but CMS answered to tie it up at 55 apiece. However, Downs responded for the Maroon and Gray by hitting a clutch three-pointer off Lacey's assist with 2:08 to go. Redlands showed great resolve and determination by forcing the Athenas into six missed shots, with Dack providing a huge steal and her second block of the game. Downs and Lee iced the game with successful trips to the free-throw line, as the Bulldogs secured the 62-55 championship victory.
The Redlands women's basketball team showed up to the first round of the NCAA Championships in Whitewater, Wisconsin, with an upset insight. The Bulldogs made a statement nationally by upending the No. 8 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks, 70-62, while also securing the program's first-ever NCAA tournament win. After building a 37-32 halftime lead, the Maroon and Gray stunned the Warhawks in the third by holding them to just free-throws in the opening five minutes. Whitewater missed five shots and coughed up two turnovers during this span, thanks to the Bulldogs' stifling defense. On the other end of the floor, Redlands created its largest lead of the night at 50-36, with Lee finding Jerrier for the short jumper to cap off a 13-3 run. Late in the game, Lacey converted six made free-throws en route to a season-high 26 points. Downs added 18 points, including a 4-for-6 showing from deep, while Dack hauled in 12 rebounds.
Although the historic campaign came to a close with a 46-69 loss to Trine University (IN) in the second round, the Bulldog women's basketball team had much to celebrate. In the final game of the season, Downs reset her own school record by sinking her 82nd three-pointer of the season. Furthermore, Lacey was named the SCIAC Athlete of the Year while Downs earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team. In addition, Murphy and Assistant Coach Denise Bennett were named the SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year by the conference. Finally, D3hoops.com named Lacey to the All-West Region Second Team and honored Murphy as the West Region Coach of the Year.
Throughout the season, the Bulldogs earned a 12.1-point margin of victory. The team also came up in the clutch by winning five out of the eight games that were decided by five or fewer points. Defensively, the Bulldogs held opponents to the second-lowest scoring average in the conference at 57.1.
Although the void left by Lacey is undeniable, the returning crew of competitors brings determination, high-level experience, and incredible talent to whatever is next for the Redlands women's basketball team.