THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.—Senior Mia Morrison and sophomore Stavriana Dimitrakopoulou posted double-doubles for the William Smith College basketball team, but the host California Lutheran University Regals notched a 71-63 win in the first game of the Cal Lutheran Holiday Classic tonight.
 
Morrison shared game-high honors in both points and rebounds, finishing the contest with 17 points and 12 boards. Dimitrakopoulou added 10 points and 12 boards. California native, sophomore Juliana Gamboa chipped in 13 points while junior Emma Gallagher had 12 points.
 
Natalie Ruhl gave CLU 17 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Jessi Westering was the only other Regal in double digits with 11 points. Cal Lutheran showed off its depth with 16 players entering the game and 12 recording points.
 
The Herons, who returned to the court three weeks after their last game, struggled to shake the rust off their shooting touch. William Smith shot just 30 percent from the floor, including a mere 25 percent through the first three quarters. The Herons attempted a valiant comeback in the fourth quarter, raising their shooting percentage to 44 percent.
 
William Smith trailed by as many as 18 late in the third quarter, but used its improved shooting to whittle the deficit down to six, 69-63, with just under a minute to go. A 9-2 run by the Herons started with five straight points from Gallagher and ended with a pair of free throws by Gamboa. Taylor Oshiro iced the game with a pair of free throws with about 30 seconds left.
 
The Regals led by six at halftime and used an 18-3 third quarter run to seize control. Just over two minutes into the half, Dimitrakopoulou sank a 3-pointer to make it a 3-point game. Jozie Tangeman and Ruhl countered with consecutive 3-pointers. Westering and Cameron Mallory all hit from distance during the CLU run.
 
William Smith is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 29, when the Herons take on Whitworth at 7 p.m. (4 p.m. PT) at Cal Lutheran.