WHITTIER, Calif. – The California Lutheran University women's basketball team played hard tonight, but came up short as they lost to Whittier College, 76-66, at the Graham Athletic Center.

Kailee Yan led the Regals with 19 points, while Kayla Watterson added a career-high of 18 points. Watterson also led the team defensively, tallying 11 defensive rebounds and seven offensive, respectively. Jessi Westering was the third Regal with double-digit points with 12. Kiana Gray also pulled down 7 rebounds.

The Regals got an early start, leading 11-5 within the first five minutes of the first quarter. Heading into the second quarter, the Regals only led by four points, 18-14, but then started pulling away as Yan made a few clutch shots, helping the Violet and Gold get their biggest lead yet, 28-18. The Poets answered back quickly with a few made free throws and 3-pointers. However, Westering helped the Regals come back as they headed into halftime, leading 36-32.

In the third quarter, the Regals and the poets went back and forth on baskets made. Then the Poets started pulling away in the fourth. With 8:39 left in the game, Whittier made a layup to increase their lead up by six. With four minutes left and a turnover by the Regals, it had turned into an 11-point deficit. Westering made two huge 3-point jump shots but unfortunately that just wasn't enough for the Regals as they fell to the Poets, 76-66.

The Regals will continue to play away as they travel again on Saturday and take on the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens at 2 p.m.

Box Score: WC 76, CLU 66
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Release by Nicki Tetherow, Assistant Sports Information Director