REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Basketball team (1-0) opened their 2023-24 season with an 88-53 win over Bethesda University on Saturday evening inside Currier Gym.

Despite the dominant win, and an early and one from Colbi Zorich, the Bulldogs trailed by six 12-6 with 6:07 on the clock in the first quarter.

The deficit would grow to a margin of eight, 19-11, but a quick 4-0 run in the final :41 seconds that included three points from AJ Wick (Henderson, NV) and a free throw from Kayden Sanders (Nipomo, CA) would make it a three-point game, 22-19, after the opening ten minutes.  

Redlands started the second quarter with six straight, which extended their overall run to ten unanswered as they led by three, 25-22. Aliyah Anderson (Oceanside, CA) was assisted by Zorich on a jump shot in the paint, Zorch finished a fast break layup off a Carly Hicks (Portland, OR) assist, and Wick knocked down a jumper.

The lead would grow to five before a quick 5-0 run by the Lady Flames would tie things up with 5:36 left in the half. Following that deadlock at 29-29, the Bulldogs outscored the Flames 13-0 and took a 42-31 lead into the half. During this run Avery Shiring (Yorba Linda, CA) hit a pair of free throws, Leila Hosn (Seattle, WA) converted on a fastbreak layup after a steal as she had six points, Nataly Bravo (Spring Valley, CA) hit a free throw and a three, and Sanders also added a point.

In the first four minutes of the third quarter Hosn scored nine points to extend the Bulldogs lead to 17, 52-35. Anderson then gave Redlands their first 20-point lead after she made four free throws as the Bulldogs led 56-35. In the final :21 seconds of the period Anderson and Hosn combined for five points to give Redlands a 25-point lead after 30 minutes.

Jenna Schmitt (Bellevue, WA) grabbed an offensive rebound and finished in the paint to make it 77-44 in the first minute and a half of the fourth. Then with 3:40 remaining in the game Caitlyn Constantino (Riverside, CA) hit a three off a Sanders assist to put the Bulldogs up 29. Wick then found Taylor Whaley (Olympia, WA) for a fastbreak score as the Bulldogs finished off their 35-point victory.  

Hosn scored 21 points (8-16 FG, 5-8 FT), a new career-high, and she added five rebounds, five steals and three assists. Also scoring in double figures was Wick with 14 points (6-12 FG), Anderson with 12 points (3-7 FG, 6-6 FT), and Zorich with 11 (4-10 FG, 3-5 FT). Wick added 13 rebounds for a double-double and Zorich just missed one of her own with nine rebounds as the Bulldogs out-rebounded the Flames 62-36.

Redlands will stay home as they host LIFE Pacific on Wednesday, November 15 with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.