CMS Women's Basketball Closes out Regular Season with Tight Loss at Redlands

REDLANDS, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team took Redlands down to the wire on Wednesday evening in its regular season finale, but came up just short as it dropped a 58-54 road decision at Currier Gymnasium.

The loss means that CMS will be the three seed in the upcoming SCIAC Tournament and play its semifinal on the road in a return visit to Redlands, which secured the two seed with the win. 

CMS led 35-31 in a defensive battle after three quarters, but the fourth saw Redlands outscore the Athenas 27-19 as the offenses opened up. Renee Chong hit a three-pointer to put CMS up 40-33 and a Dalia three-point play made it 45-37 with 7:21 left. 

Alyssa Downs, though, knocked down a three-pointer for the Bulldogs with 2:43 left to put Redlands in front 49-48. After Redlands went ahead by three, Dalia, who had 12 fourth-quarter points answered twice to cut it to one, and Mary Markaryan hit a jumper with 31 seconds left to close to within 55-54.

After Redlands split two at the line with 11 seconds left, CMS had a chance to tie, but was unable to convert as the Bulldogs held on to defend their home court. 

Chong joined Dalia in double figures for the Athenas with 13 points, while Downs led three Bulldogs in double figures with 18. 

CMS will have a bye on Saturday before returning to the postseason, and returning to Redlands, next Thursday for the SCIAC Semifinals.