CLAREMONT, Calif. - Katie Resendiz had 14 points and Renee Chong and Ava Grey each added 11 as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a 58-55 win over UC Santa Cruz on Saturday at Roberts Pavilion. 

The Athenas were down by a point at the half (32-31), but outscored the Banana Slugs 19-11 in the third quarter to take a 50-43 lead into the fourth, and then hung on for the win. 

With the score tied 38-38, Ruva Kiara had a steal and converted a three-point play to put the Athenas ahead to stay. Amanda Kerner knocked down a three-pointer to push the lead up to 48-43, and Kayla Ishibashi closed out the third quarter with a jumper. 

Katie Resendiz started the fourth quarter with a jumper to put the Athenas ahead 52-43. UC Santa Cruz got back within 54-51, but Tanya Ghai drove for a layup and Chong, who returned to the lineup after missing all of last season with an injury, hit a jumper to get the lead back to seven. UC Santa Cruz scored four points in the final minute to get within three as time expired. 

Ghai finished with four assists and Marley Ragsdale had three. Grey knocked down all three of her three-pointers for the Athenas. 

CMS will be back in action when it travels to play in the Emmanuel Invitational, opening against Lebanon Valley on Saturday.