THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran used some big shots in the fourth quarter from Taylor Oshiro and Jozie Tangeman to pick up an extremely important Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) victory over Pomona-Pitzer, Saturday afternoon inside Gilbert Arena.
The Regals (6-9, 3-4 SCIAC) were strong on the defensive end, holding the Sagehens (7-8, 3-4 SCIAC) to just 35.9% from the field and 27.3% from three-point range. CLU were very efficient as they shot 24-56 (42.9%) from the floor and 8-19 (42.1%) from beyond the arc.
Leading the Regals offensively was Tangeman with 20 points on 6-12 shooting with two three-pointers. Mackenzy Iwahashi also reached double figures with 11 points on the night with five rebounds and three steals. Oshiro poured in nine points including a big three-pointer in the final period.
Cal Lutheran got the start they were hoping for as they opened the contest on a 5-0 run using baskets from Cameron Mallory and Oshiro. The Sagehens would eventually tie the score but another offensive burst gave the Regals a 23-16 lead after the first quarter.
Pomona-Pitzer did well to get back into the game in the second period, out-scoring the hosts 18-14. Karly Beyers entered the game and knocked down a three shortly after stepping on the floor. Tea Carbullido, earning her first minutes of the season after coming back from injury, hit a pair of free throws for her first points of the season. The Regals would take a 37-34 lead heading into the break.
The third quarter would prove to be very tight as neither team could gain an advantage. This set up for an extremely exciting final 10 minutes.
The fourth quarter began with a driving layup from Oshiro to extend the lead to five points. PP would respond with a three to serve as a foreshadowing for the back-and-forth fourth period. Haley Tyrell got in on the action with a huge offensive board and put-back to keep the Regals back in front.
After an intentional foul and a technical foul charged to the Cal Lutheran bench, Pomona-Pitzer took a lead and extended it to four points. Oshiro came out of a timeout and hit a huge shot from beyond the arc to cut the lead to one point. The Regals got a big stop on the defensive end and Tangeman would come down to the other end to finish a tough layup in the paint to store the CLU lead. Jade Jordan, also returning from injury, split a pair of free throws to give the Regals a three-point lead with one second remaining and the hosts would get the final stop to clinch the 74-71 victory.
Cal Lutheran looks to continue their winning ways Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. when they host La Verne inside Gilbert Arena.
Box Score: CLU 74, PP 71
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Release by Jeff Rebello, Assistant Sports Information Director