The Clipper Women's Basketball team got off to a slow start in their home opener on Tuesday night against the Cardinals from Skagit Valley. They had only four points eight minutes into the quarter but were able to double their scoring in the final two minutes, helped by two free throws from freshman Alicia Hill at the buzzer to make it 8-19.
The Clippers were able to chip away at the lead a little in the second quarter, bringing them within 8 at a score of 17-25, but a run by the Cardinals had them up 38-20 before Hill again hit two points at the buzzer, this time off an assist from sophomore Kadance Blankers.
High pressure defense by the Clippers caused a series of Cardinal turnovers to start the third quarter and brought the deficit down to 10. Another free throw as time expired, by freshman Alycia Loudermilk, ended the period with a 41-53 score. In the 4th, a 3-pointer by Blankers cut it to single digits at 46-55 but the Cardinals were able to close strong, winning 73-55.
The Cardinals had four players in double digits, led by McKenna Wichers with 18 points. Freshman Vy Tran led all scorers with 19, 13 of which came in the second half. Fellow freshman Emma Garcia scored all of her 10 points in the second half to be the only other Clipper in double figures.
South Puget Sound has two more home games this week, hosting Olympic College at 5:30 on Friday and closing out the home stand with Clark College at 2:00 on Sunday.