Wright, Whitley Lead Regals in Rout of Buena Vista

Senior duo combines for 45 points in 81-59 victory.

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Erica Whitley (Left) had 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Starla Wright finished 26 points and seven rebounds in Sunday evening's 81-59 victory over Buena Vista.

Photo: Steve Schaffer

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. –  On the eve of final exams beginning for Cal Lutheran students, the CLU women's basketball team passed their final test before the team's winter break begins, routing Buena Vista (Iowa) 81-59  Sunday evening in Gilbert Arena. Starla Wright and Erica Whitley combined for 45 points as the Regals shot nearly 60 percent from the field.

Cal Lutheran started fast and never looked back as Whitley scored the Regals first six points after nabbing two steals and sinking a pair of free-throws.

Later, Rachel Deagy, who was 5-6 from the field in the first half, scored on three straight possessions pushing CLU’s lead to 28-14 with 8:53 left to play.

Wright would send Cal Lutheran into the locker room with momentum on their side after she scored six of her game-high 26 points over the final three minutes to give CLU the halftime lead at 42-28.

The Regals picked up the second half right where they left off with Whitley nailing two three-pointers and Wright pouring in three more baskets and went up 57-36 with 15:26 left in the second half.

With 8:16 left to play, Cal Lutheran would gain its largest lead at 27 points after Taylor Autry’s three-pointer made it 72-45.

The Regals would coast the rest of the way and ended the game with a decisive 81-59 victory.

Wright was 12-17 from the floor while also hauling in seven rebounds. Whitley, who finished with 19, was a perfect 5-5 from the free-throw line while also tallying nine rebounds and six assists. Heagy finished with 10 point and Natalie Stone had a game-high nine rebounds.

Buena Vista was led by Becca Pennington, who hit three three-pointers en route to scoring 13 points. Susan Kies had 12 and Malarie Gilley rounded out the Beaver’s leading scorers with 10.

With the win, Cal Lutheran improves to 8-2 overall. Buena Vista falls to 7-4.

The Regals will have the next two weeks off and won’t return to Gilbert Arena until December 30, when they take on Scranton at 3:00 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 81 BVU 59

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