SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Basketball team (3-2) ended their UCSC Thanksgiving Classic with an 89-63 loss to Bethany College (West Virginia) Saturday afternoon.

It was a tough start for the young Bulldog squad as they allowed the first 14 points of the game and waited nearly five minutes for their first basket, which came from AJ Wick (Henderson, NV) who was assisted by Colbi Zorich (Kenmore, WA). Caitlyn Constantino (Riverside, CA) then made back-to-back baskets as Wick got the assist on her made jumper.

Redlands was able to get within eight, 20-12, after a 6-2 run that included a pair of made free throws from Aliyah Anderson (Oceanside, CA), a jumper in the paint and two free throws by Zorich, but the Bisons would end the first with two threes and a layup as the Bulldogs trailed 28-12.

Leaya Mckinney (Sedalia, CO) got things started on a positive note in the first :30 seconds of the second as she scored in the paint.  But over the next five minutes they would only put up three points as they trailed by their largest margin of 28, 45-17, with 4:11 left in the half.

Despite the struggles, Redlands continued to battle the rest of the half as they pulled within 21, 47-26, as Carly Hicks (Portland, OR) made a three off an Anderson assist followed by Kayden Sanders (Nipomo, CA) who would make all four of her free throws. At the break it was a 23-point deficit, 49-26.

The closest the Bulldogs would get in the third was 24, 52-29, after Hicks knocked down another three, this time off a Zorich assist, but the Bison would continue with their strong play as they would lead by 29, 74-45, after three quarters.    

In the final 10-minute period the Bulldogs trailed by 36, 85-49, but over the final 3:24 they were able to cut the deficit to 26, 89-63, to end the game. During those three plus minutes Mckinney had six points, Sanders added two points and an assist, Taylor Whaley (Olympia, WA) hit a pair of free throws, and Nataly Bravo (Spring Valley, CA) would finish with a last second assist. 

Wick barely missed another double-double as she had nine points (4-9 FG) and 12 rebounds. Anderson continued to lead the offense with a game-high 15 points (5-12 FG, 5-6 FT) as she was named to the All-Tournament team for her two performances.

Redlands returns to Currier Gym next Thursday, November 30 at 6:00 p.m. when they host The Master's University.