THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Junior Natalie Ruhl brought the holiday cheer to Gilbert Arena, Friday afternoon, leading the Cal Lutheran Regals to a 71-63 victory over the William Smith Lions. The guard went 5-6 from behind the three-point arc and closed the match with a season-high 17 points.
Behind her, sophomore Jessi Westering added a double-digit night of her own. Her 11-points is a season-high for the forward as well. Aiding the offensive front, sophomore guards Jozie Tangeman and Jade Jordan posted nine and seven points, respectively.
As a whole, the defense also stepped up and held the Herons to just 30 percent from the floor and 20 percent from behind the arc. Ruhl also led the night with eight rebounds followed by Jordan with six.
Though William Smith opened the contest with a trey from Mia Morrison on their first possession, Cal Lutheran quickly responded with a deep three of their own from Jordan. From there, the team sailed on autopilot, never losing the lead the remainder of the contest.
After 19 points in the first quarter for Cal Lutheran, the Herons picked up some steam, and went toe-to-toe in the second. Led by 17 points from Morrison and double-digit nights from three others, William Smith pulled to within six points at the half.
But once again, Cal Lutheran responded in the third with their highest scoring quarter of the night, posting 20 points compared to just ten by William Smith. The score broke open in the offensive run as Tangeman, Ruhl and Westering went off on treys and brought the Regals to their largest lead of the night of 18 points with 1:57 left to play in the third.
While the Herons threatened with 23 points in the fourth, Cal Lutheran held on to bag the 71-63 victory. The win moves the Regals to 6-5 overall on the season and sets the team up for their next non-conference matchup versus Whitworth on December 30 at 4 p.m.
Post-Game Interview: Natalie Ruhl and Jessi Westering
Box Score: CLU 71, WSC 63
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Release by Christy Effendie, Assistant Sports Information Director
