Box Score Box Score

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Despite a game-best 23 points from junior Sarah Wetmore, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's basketball team could not overcome a first half deficit, falling to California-Lutheran University, 90-56.  The Regals improve to 3-5 on the season, while the Engineers drop to 3-4 overall.

The homestanding Regals came out firing in the game, jumping out to a 9-0 advantage through the first three minutes of the opening half.  RPI eventually pulled the score to within one (12-11) on a three-pointer by Katie Hansan (McLean, VA/Langley) with 12:56 remaining, but California-Lutheran pushed its lead back to 16 points (27-11) behind seven points from Starla Wright.

Despite shooting 31.0% from the floor, the Regals capitalized at the free-throw line, going 10-of-11 (90.9%) to maintain the double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the half to head into the intermission with a 37-24 lead.

In the second half of action, Wetmore (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury) nailed back-to-back jumpers to pull it to a 13-point deficit for RPI (41-28), but the home team continued to press.  The Regals grabbed a 23-point lead (55-32) behind a pair of free throw shots from Erica Whitley and added to it as she sank a three-pointer with 10:57 remaining to make it a 66-38 lead.

California-Lutheran continued to add to their advantage throughout the remainder of the contest as three players finished in double-digits for the Regals.  Leading the way was Wright, who had 20 points.  Whitley added 17 points, while Brianna Parker chipped in with 15 points.

For Rensselaer, which played its first contest since December 7, Wetmore added a team-high seven rebounds.  Junior Nicole Monroe (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) recorded nine points, while classmate Hillary McKinley (Quinebaug, CT/Tourtellotte Memorial) added seven points.

The Engineers return to action on Wednesday, continuing their California road trip with a game against Chapman in Orange, Calif.  Game time is set for 8pm (Eastern).  Live stats for the game can be found HERE.