Second Half Surge Propels Regals

Regals off to best start since 1994-95

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Photo: Tracy Maple

CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Cal Lutheran women’s basketball team erupted for 41 second half points and Starla Wright had her third double-double in her last six games as Cal Lutheran grinded out a 69-53 win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Thursday night.

With the win, Cal Lutheran improved to 14-2 overall and 7-1 in the SCIAC and is off to their best start since 1994-95 when the Regals began the season 21-0 and 9-0 in the conference.

The Regals got off to a fast start and pushed their lead to 19-8 after back to back three-point baskets from Channing Fleischmann.

Cal Lutheran then relied on their bench to keep them ahead of the Athenas, outscoring the CMS bench 31-12. Erica Whitley and Rachel Heagy came off the bench to score the final six points of the half as CLU led CMS 31-19 going into halftime.

Five minutes into the second half, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps would go on a 9-0 run capped by Cameron Ruby’s three-pointer that brought the Athenas to within six at 36-30.

Cal Lutheran responded on the following possession with a three-pointer of its own when Keeley Anderson hit the long-distance basket. The Regals would then go on a run of their own, outscoring CMS 19-8 over a span of seven minutes.

With just under three minutes left in the game, Jazmyne Porter iced the win for the Regals after driving to the hoop and finishing an off balance lay-up despite being fouled. Porter would sink the free-throw and push the score to 63-47 with 2:40 left.

Head Coach Roy Dow was able to clear his bench as all 13 Regals would log minutes down the stretch as CLU topped CMS 69-53.

Wright, who was named the SCIAC Athlete of the Week for the second time in three weeks Wednesday, finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The senior from Los Angeles has averaged nearly 22 points over her last five games.

Porter was second for the Regals with 13 points while Fleischmann had eight points and 10 rebounds. Whitley was right with Fleischmann, finishing with eight points and seven rebounds.

Madeline Barnes led CMS with 15 points while her teammate Aria Krumwiede added 12.

Cal Lutheran (14-2 overall, 7-1 SCIAC) stays atop the SCIAC standings after the victory while CMS drops to 5-11 overall and 1-6 SCIAC.

The Regals will be back in action this Saturday, January 19, when they return home to host Chapman, the only SCIAC team to defeat CLU this season. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. inside Gilbert Arena.

Box Score: CLU 69 CMS 53
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