THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — With 0.6 seconds left, Sophomore Alyssa Maxey made the defensive play of the game, tipping the inbound pass, which allowed time to run out without Willamette getting a shot off, and California Lutheran University Women's basketball opened the 2021-22 season with a 62-59 win on Tuesday night. 

The Regals were up 60-50 with 3:43 left, as the Bearcats slowly inched back in the game. Maxey not only had the play at the end of the game, she was also fouled with six seconds left, made both free throws, and pushed the lead to three points. 

Sophomore Patil Yaacoubian played in her first game for the Purple and Gold and led the team with 16 points. She made 4-of-6 three-pointers and was 5-of-10 from the field. 

Senior Cameron Mallory and sophomore Grace Godines hit the double-digit mark with 11 and 10 points, respectively. 

Mallory drilled three three-pointers and dished out three assists, while Godines grabbed six rebounds, including three offensive rebounds. 

The Regals had 14 assists in the game, with Mallory, Yaacoubian, senior Mackenzy Iwahashi and sophomore Danielle Morgan each recorded three. 
 
Morgan and Aliya DiMuro tied for the game-high with seven rebounds and Iwahashi had three steals and two blocks. 

The difference in the game was points-off-turnovers. Willamette only had three more turnovers than the Regals 19 to 16, but the Regals turned it into 14 more pints. In that category, Cal Lutheran outscored Willimatte 24-to-10. It was also the Regals making the impact, putting up 32 bench points compared to the Bearcats 20. 

The game remained close, with the Regals only getting breathing room in the fourth. There were six ties and 12 lead changes. 

Cal Lutheran continues its season on the road. The Regals head north for the Lewis & Clark Tournament, with games against Lewis & Clark (Ore.) and Puget Sound (Wash.). Cal Lutheran opens the tournament with Lewis & Clark on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Box Score: CLU 62, WU 59
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director