Regals Stretch Win Streak to Four

CLU defeats Pomona-Pitzer 76-67

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Sofia Cruz had nine points against Pomona-Pitzer Saturday night.

Photo: Tracy Maple

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – 2014 continues to be a good year for the Cal Lutheran women’s basketball team as it avenged an earlier season loss to Pomona-Pitzer and defeated the Sagehens 76-67 Saturday while improving to 7-2 since the New Year. Keeley Anderson led Cal Lutheran with 17 points including four threes while Haley Hodgson and Chelsea Jacoby each had 16 as the Regals improved to above .500 for the first time since November 21.

Cal Lutheran got off to a fast start against the Sagehens and would never trail. Jacoby scored 11 points as CLU rushed out to a 15-4 lead.

Pomona-Pitzer would claw back to within six after Alaina Woo made a three-pointer that made it 23-17 with 7:27 left to play in the first half.

The Regals would bump their lead back up to 11 after Anderson made her free-throw but missed her second, only to see Jacoby scoop up the loose ball and put it back in to make it 30-19. CLU would maintain its 11-point cushion the rest of the half with Sofia Cruz and Jessica Salottolo each making free-throws in the final minute.

The second half was plagued with fouls as the teams combined to tally 31 of them. Cal Lutheran would stretch its lead to as large as 18 when Anderson sunk back-to-back three-pointers, putting the Regals up 50-32 with 13:17 left to play.

However a stingy Pomona-Pitzer would hang around and would eventually cut the lead down to seven at 68-61 with 2:07 remaining in the game.

Despite the tension in the final minutes, Cal Lutheran would sink 6-of-8 free –throws down the stretch to ice its fourth straight win.

In addition to Anderson, Hodgson and Jacoby reaching double-figures, Salottolo joined them with 11 points. Cruz finished with nine points to go along with four rebounds. Natalie Stone led CLU defensively with five steals.

Basha Brulee-Wills notched a double-double for Pomona-Pitzer, recording 14 points and 13 rebounds. Jenn Okonkwo had 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Sagehens.

With the loss, Pomona-Pitzer falls to 6-12 overall and 4-7 in the SCIAC.

Cal Lutheran (10-9 overall, 6-5 SCIAC) will look to stretch its win-streak to five games when it host Caltech on Feb. 6. Tip-off inside of Gilbert Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 76 PP 67
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