THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran never trailed during a 66-45 season-opening win over Linfield inside Gilbert Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Starla Wright provided a spark off the Regals bench with 17 points and 11 rebounds to pull away in the second half.

Despite poor first-half shooting by both teams, the Regals won out with a strong defensive effort and hustle for the full 40 minutes. Cal Lutheran was able to take full advantage in the second half, shooting over 50 percent and outscoring Linfield 45-29.

Over the final 20 minutes, CLU forced 14 Linfield turnovers and earned a 23-2 advantage in points off turnovers. CLU sophomore Meaghan Goodenough recorded team-highs of 33 minutes and four assists while grabbing three steals contributing to the cause.

The Regals bench outscored the Wildcat reserves 35-12, including a 23-7 edge in the second half. Wright, who scored 14 second-half points, was 4-of-6 from the field while converting 9-of-14 from the free throw line.

Regals newcomer Erica Whitley added 10 points in 13 minutes including a team-high seven in the first half. Freshman Brianna Parker snatched a game-high 16 rebounds and was a major reason for the Regals’ 36-16 points-in-the-paint advantage.

Parker grabbed 10 of her game-high 16 rebounds in the first half and earned the start in her first collegiate contest. Junior transfer Donielle Griggs went 5-for-8 from inside the 3-point line, scoring 14 points and grabbing a game-high four steals.

Erica Whitley knocked down a pair of free throws at the 6:36 mark of the first half, giving the hosts their largest margin of 19-6 during the game’s opening 20 minutes.

Four different Wildcats contributed to a 10-0 run over the next five minutes yet Linfield trailed 21-16 at the half.

A 3-pointer by Gretchen Owens (Soph., Glendale, Ore.) pulled the ‘Cats to within 21-19 to open the second half but they would come no closer the rest of the way. A second 3-pointer by Owens with 2:55 left cut the deficit to 55-45 before the Regals closed the game with an 11-0 run.

The trio of Wright, Parker and Griggs combined for 29 second-half points, equaling the output of the Wildcats roster over the final 20 minutes.

Linfield's strategy of knocking down the 3-point shots fell short as the Wildcats went 8-for-32 from beyond the arc. In two games to open the season, Linfield has hit just 11-of-48 attempts from long range.

Owens, a freshman, led Linfield with 13 points and nine rebounds. Kelsey O'Neil (Fr., Troutdale, Ore.) had nine points on 4 of 9 shooting off the bench. Kelsey Forrest (Sr., Mossyrock, Wash.) added seven points, four rebounds and two steals. Gina Engelson (Soph., Salem, Ore.) pulled in six rebounds to go with a pair of steals.

AHEAD: The Wildcats play two more games during their early season trek to southern California. Tuesday, Linfield meets Pomona-Pitzer at 6 p.m., followed by a Wednesday contest against La Sierra starting at 7:30.