The Cal Lutheran women's basketball team fell just short of advancing to the SCIAC Tournament championship, losing 63-61 to host Redlands last night in the SCIAC Tournament semifinals.

The young Regals trailed by two with four seconds remaining when a steal led to a desperation heave by CLU's Donielle Griggs that missed the rim.

Griggs had forced a 55-55 tie with a 3-pointer and a long jumper with just over two minutes remaining.

But Redlands' Mariah Barbetti-Cort, a Ventura High graduate, went strong to the hoop and converted a three-point play for the Bulldogs providing a lead they would not relinquish.

Freshman Starla Wright led CLU with 19 points and Erica Whitley had 12. Despite a roster consisting mostly of freshmen and sophmores, CLU finished the season 19-7, which included an upset of the defending Division III champion.

In the other semifinal, Occidental defeated Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 72-69 and will host Redlands on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the tournament final.