Lady Elks Close Out Regular Season In Redding

REDDING, Calif. – The Stanton University Lady Elks wrapped up their regular season on Saturday night with a spirited performance against the Simpson Red Hawks. Despite a relentless effort and a dominant first-half display, the Lady Elks ultimately fell 84-72 at the James M. Grant Center.

This final road trip followed a heartbreaking battle earlier in the week at Pacific Union College (PUC), where the Lady Elks showed immense defensive discipline but fell just short in a two-point thriller. On Saturday, the team carried that competitive fire into Redding, proving once again that they belong among the toughest competitors in the conference.

Game Summary: A Tale of Two Halves

The Lady Elks came out with something to prove, lighting up the scoreboard in the first half. Behind sharp shooting and aggressive rebounding, Stanton built a lead as large as nine points in the second quarter, heading into the locker room with a 45-41 advantage.

While a tough third-quarter surge from Simpson shifted the momentum, the Lady Elks refused to back down. They matched the Red Hawks point-for-point in the final ten minutes (20-20), fighting until the final buzzer and showing the heart that has defined their season.

Standout Performances

Several players delivered high-impact performances to close out the year:

• Sophia Laurel: In a masterful display of endurance, Laurel played all 40 minutes and led the game with 27 points. She was lethal from distance, hitting 6-of-12 from three-point range.

• Najharae Young: Young was a force in the paint, recording a massive double-double. She tallied 16 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, nine of which were on the offensive glass.

• Teagan Cohen: A consistent threat all night, Cohen contributed 14 points and played 36 hard-fought minutes.

• Isabel Betancor: Providing a spark off the bench, Betancor reached double figures with 10 points, including two crucial shots from beyond the arc.

As the curtain closes on the regular season, we want to extend a huge thank you to the girls for an incredible season of basketball. Your hard work, resilience, and team spirit have been an inspiration to the entire Stanton community. We also want to thank the friends and families who have been our "sixth man" all year—whether you cheered us on at home or traveled hundreds of miles to support the team on the road, your presence meant the world.

We are so proud of everything this team has accomplished, and we look forward to seeing all of you back in the stands next season!