REDLANDS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran traveled to Redlands to continue their Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) schedule but struggled on the offensive end as they fell to the Bulldogs 71-54
The Regals were just 19-66 from the floor (28.8%) and their counterparts were very efficient shooting the basketball, going 28-58 (48.3%) and out-rebounded CLU 50-35.
Taylor Oshiro led the Cal Lutheran with 14 points including two three-pointers. Natalie Ruhl poured in 11 points with three rebounds while Cameron Mallory also chipped in with 11 points on 4-8 shooting.
It was a tough start for the Regals in the early minutes as the Bulldogs would quickly race to a 15-5 lead to force a CLU timeout. Cal Lutheran were just 2-17 and 0-6 from beyond the arc to start the contest while the hosts were 6-14 from the field.
The Purple and Gold gained some momentum in the beginning of the second quarter when Mallory and Ruhl each knocked down a three-pointer to open the scoring and cut the lead to six. Unfortunately for the Regals, they did not make another basket for almost five minute and allowed the Bulldogs to take a 16-point lead. A three-ball from Karly Beyers finally ended the scoring drought but Redlands would manage a 15-point advantage (37-22) heading into halftime after shooting nearly 50% from the floor.
The teams would trade baskets to start the third quarter as the Bulldogs would retain their sizable lead. Redlands would then push their lead to 22 points giving the Regals a steep hill to climb in the final minutes.
Ruhl finished a tough layup in the paint to reach double figures on the night to open the fourth quarter. However, the Bulldogs would head down the court and hit a three-pointer to regain their commanding lead. Oshiro responded with a triple of her own, her second of the night, to give herself double-digit scoring as well.
Cal Lutheran falls to 3-7 (1-2 SCIAC) and continue conference play when they host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 54, UR 71
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Release by Jeff Rebello, Assistant Sports Information Director
