CMS Women's Basketball Drops Conference Opener at Cal Lutheran 72-69

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team took a seven-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but Cal Lutheran was able to rally back for a 72-69 win over the Athenas on Wednesday evening to spoil their conference opener.

CMS led by one point going into the fourth, and Katie Resendiz knockd down a three-pointer off an offensive rebound and kickoff pass from Mary Markaryan. After Markaryan had a steal, Syona Mandyam knocked down a three-pointer to put CMS ahead 61-54 with 9:06 to go. 

Cal Lutheran, though, would score the next eight points to take the lead back at 62-61. Cate Shingler answered with a jumper to give the Athenas the lead back momentarily, but the Regals scored the next six points to go ahead 68-63. 

Markaryan converted a lay-up off a Resendiz feed, and Resendiz scored down low off a Tanya Ghai pass to close the gap to 68-67. The Athenas then had three possession to try to take the lead, but were unable to convert. Cal Lutheran made two foul shots, and Mandyam answered with a jumper to make it 70-69, but the Regals made two foul shots and CMS was unable to get a tying three-pointer off before the buzzer sounded.

Ghai led CMS with 18 points, while Resendiz added 16. Sara Mills led all scorers with 20 points for Cal Lutheran. 

CMS will be back in action on Saturday when it travels to Chapman looking to get back even in SCIAC play.