Iwahashi Scores 20, Mallory Hits Clutch Three in Win Over La Sierra

Iwahashi Scores 20, Mallory Hits Clutch Three in Win Over La Sierra

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. Mackenzy Iwahashi scored 20 points, Cameron Mallory drained a three-pointer with 1:23 left to break a 69-69 tie, and Cal Lutheran Women's Basketball pulled out a clutch win defeating La Sierra 74-72 on Tuesday night.

The second game for the Purple and Gold was an instant classic. After hitting the clutch three to put her team up 72-69, Mallory made the very next play on defense to shut down the Golden Eagles. After a missed shot from La Sierra on their next possession, Alyssa Maxey put on the finishing touches as she made a layup to give CLU a five-point lead with 13 seconds left. 

The game went back and forth with seven ties and eight lead changes. The big difference in the game was points in the pain as the Regals outscored the Golden Eagles 42-24.

After Iwahashi's 20 points, Mallory tallied 17 and Maxey added 11 more. Maxey led the offense with five assists and tied with Iwahashi in the team-lead for steals with two. 

A plethora of Regals hit the glass, as Aliya DiMuro, Grace Godines, Mallory and Maxy each had six rebounds. DiMuro and Jozie Tangeman were active on the offensive end with three apiece. 

La Sierra shot more than double the amount of free throw than Cal Lutheran did, but the Regals took advantage of the opportunities. Cal Lutheran was 11-for-12 from the line as La Sierra was 16-of-28.

Cal Lutheran jumped out to the early lead and led 27-20 after one quarter. La Sierra fired back in the second, outscoring CLU 16-6 and took 36-33 lead at the break. La Sierra hit a three with three seconds left to break the tie. 

The game continued to go back-and-forth until the Golden Eagles built a lead in the third. La Sierra went up 53-45 with 2:24 left in the quarter. The Regals chipped away at the lead and took the lead with 8:19 left as Mallory drained a three to put her squad up 56-55. 

The Regals made big shots down the stretch, with a three coming from Izzy Flores and a layup by Godines. The Golden Eagles were always there to answer back until the very end. Mallory's three put the Regals up for good as the Purple and Gold's defense did the rest.

Cal Lutheran will hit the road for its next game. The Regals play Redlands on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 74, LSU 72
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director