REDLANDS, Calif. – The University of Redlands Women's Basketball team (2-0) ended the Redlands Tip-Off Classic with a 61-50 upset victory over No. 17 Transylvania University (Transy) Saturday night inside Currier Gym.
In what would be a high-scoring first quarter for these defenses AJ Wick (Henderson, NV) got off to a fast start with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting, while Avery Shiring (Yorba Linda, CA) added another six point thanks to a pair of made triples.
In the middle of the quarter the Bulldogs trailed by as many as five, 11-6, but they would score 12 of the next 14 and would hold an 18-15 lead after ten minutes.
Wick continued her hot shooting, making her first two shots of the second, while the U of R defense allowed only two points in the first five minutes. A Kayden Sanders (Nipomo, CA) three at the 5:53 mark put the Bulldogs within a point, 25-16, of their first double-digit lead.
Transy fought back, though, responding with an 8-3 run to draw within four, but Leaya McKinney (Sedalia, CO) got out on a fastbreak layup and Andrea Perkins (Seal Beach, CA) made her first collegiate shot, a three to make it 33-24 Bulldogs at the half.
At the 3:43 mark of the third First-Year Alex Facelo (San Jose, CA) caught fire, hitting her second of three threes in the quarter as it was 43-31 Redlands.
After the Pioneers cut the deficit to eight, Facelo made her third three off a Leila Hosn (Seattle, WA) assist and Facelo found Colbi Zorich (Kenmore, WA) for a jumper that had the Bulldogs up 48-35 after 30 minutes.
In the final quarter Facelo made another three to extend Redlands' largest lead to 16, but six unanswered points kept Transy in it pulling them within ten, 51-41, with 6:51 to play.
A 7-1 surge by the Maroon and Grey would put the game to bed at the 2:30 mark as the Bulldogs led by 17, 59-42.
Wick had 13 points and 12 rebounds for her second straight double double along with four assists. Zorich had 14 points and eight rebounds. Hosn scored only two points but her seven assists, five rebounds, block, and steal helped the Bulldogs around the edges of the game.
Redlands will take momentum into another ranked match-up this time against No. 14 Smith College next Friday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m. Smith lost the Division III National Championship game to New York University last season and went 30-4. overall.
