SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Cal Lutheran traveled south to face off against the Lakers of Lake Superior State University at San Diego City College. In the end, the stifling defense of the Lakers faired too much as Lake Superior State, a Division II team, came out on top 67-47 Friday afternoon.
Natalie Ruhl led the Regals in scoring with 11 points, but was the only one for Cal Lutheran to reach double-digits. Mackenzy Iwahashi added nine points and three rebounds while Jade Jordan and Cameron Mallory added seven points each, respectively. The Regals shot just 24.6% from the field and were 5-30 from behind the arc.
The game started off close in the first quarter, as Jozie Tangeman made the first two baskets and two free throws from Iwahashi paced Regals early in the game. Cal Lutheran took their first and only lead of the game with a three-pointer from Mallory to make the score 9-8 in favor of the Regals with 6:41 left in the first.
After a bucket by the Lakers two minutes later, Lake Superior State got in a groove and the Lakers started to take over offensively. While there were not large runs by either team, LSSU played great defense and managed to take advantage of the Regals' off-day shooting from the field. They went on an 8-0 run in the first to bump their lead to seven before CLU fought back, ending the first quarter 23-17 in favor over the home team.
The Lakers took their first double-digit lead of the game with a layup from Mattison Rayman, who had a huge game as she posted 17 points and 20 rebounds.
However, the Purple and Gold stayed competitive with a Karly Beyers three to cut the lead to just eight points. After another Lakers score, Jordan answered with a three of her own to cut the lead down to seven. The visitors scored the last two baskets of the quarter and at the end of the first half, the Lakers of Lake Superior were leading 37-25.
The start of the second half opened up with neither team scoring until the 7:57 mark, where Mallory hit a tough layup. However, the Lakers played tough defense and went on an 11-2 run to increase the lead to 19 towards the end of the third.
The Regals were able to bring the lead down to 15, with two made free throws by Taylor Oshiro at the end of the third and a made layup by Ruhl to open up the scoring for the Regals in the fourth.
Lake Superior State was very consistent in matching the scores of the Regals, especially in the second half. Along with great defense, the Lakers took home the victory.
Cal Lutheran will take a small break before taking on Bowdoin on Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. inside Gilbert Arena.
Box Score: CLU 47, LSSU 67
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Release by Jakar Oriseh, Sports Information Student Assistant
