REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Basketball team fell in their home opener to No. 23 Whitman College 68-49 Friday night inside Currier Gym.
The Bulldogs got off to a strong start in the first quarter, leading by four, 6-2 after Leah Tan (Alhambra, CA) hit a three and converted an and-one.
After the Blues tied the game at six, Alyssa Downs (South San Francisco, CA) converted on a pair of free throws at the 5:31 mark to regain the lead for UR. The Bulldog offense went cold the remainder of the first though with their only points coming from two Carly Hicks (Portland, OR) free throws at the 2:06 mark. Despite the lull the Bulldogs only trailed by three, 13-10, after the opening ten minutes.
To begin the second quarter the Bulldogs got within a point on two occasions, 16-15 and 18-17, thanks to two points from both Downs and Aliyah Anderson (Oceanside, CA) and a three from Hicks that was assisted by Anderson.
Then with 1:38 left in the half the Blues took their first double-digit lead, 32-22. This advantage was cut down thanks to a Maroon and Grey 6-3 run that included a steal and layup as the half ended by Chyanne Pagkalinawan (Valencia, CA) as the deficit was seven, 35-28.
Redlands' defense stepped up in the first four plus minutes of the third quarter as they drew within two, 36-34, at the 6:29 mark after only allowing one point. The six points scored by Redlands came from a Downs' three and three points from first year Colbi Zorich (Kenmore, WA).
Following a 6-1 run to begin the quarter, the Bulldogs only scored three points the remainder of the third as their deficit was again double-digits, this time 48-37.
Redlands was held scoreless for the first two minutes of the fourth quarter before Hannah Jerrier (Canton, MA) hit a jumper off a Downs assist as the Bulldogs trailed by 13, 52-39. The final 8:00 minutes saw the Blues outscore the Bulldogs 16-10 as Redlands lost for the first time this season.
Downs led the Bulldogs with 15 points and added two assists, Zorich and Jerrier each flirted with double-doubles with seven points and eight rebounds, and eight points and nine rebounds respectively.
As a team the Bulldogs only shot 29.4 percent, but they held the Blues to 38.6 percent which helped them stay within striking distance for most of the game. They also only allowed Whitman to attempt 10 free throws and overall forced 43 missed shots.
The Bulldogs will have a week off before they head to Oregon for two games, first at Linfield University on Friday, November 25 with tipoff at 5:00 p.m.
