File photo – Olivia Railsback

The Corsairs overcame a slow start at Shasta College on Saturday afternoon to keep their conference championship and playoff hopes alive in women’s basketball.

Redwoods trailed by two after the opening quarter but quickly settled into the game and outscored the home team 29-8 in the second period on the way to winning 73-46.

The win lifts the CR women to 3-1 in the Golden Valley Conference and keeps pressure on conference leaders Butte (4-0) halfway through conference play.

Olivia Railsback was the difference maker in the big second quarter after coming off the bench to spark the Corsairs.

“Olivia came in and kind of got us going in our press and was able to get some steals and make some shots,” CR head coach Jain Tuey said. “She really boosted the energy for us and everyone kind of fed off of her in the second quarter.

“Her intensity defensively and our press really created a lot of opportunities for us.”

All nine CR players scored in the win, led by Alia Prentiss and Ellie Pesch, each of whom scored a team-high 15 points.

The sharpshooting Pesch hit three of the Corsairs’ nine 3-pointers.

Moriah Bowles added 13 points and also had three 3s.

Prentiss and Railsback have done a good job splitting time at point guard, which is a new position for each of them this season.

“Those two are really starting to come into their own,” Tuey said of the two former Arcata Tigers.

Lily Shelton added six points in the win, while Railsback, Ronee Norwood and Molly Slayton each finished with four points.

Kyla Albee added three points and Lily Hoban had two to round out the team scoring.

“Once our press started working for us we got some momentum,” Tuey said. “I’m really proud of the girls for how they’re playing right now.”

File photo

The Corsairs are now two wins clear of both Siskiyous (1-2) and Shasta (1-3) in the GVC standings, with winless Lassen (0-3) rounding out the five-team conference.

The win was the third straight in conference for the Corsairs, whose only loss came against Butte.

The CR women, who are 9-12 overall, will now have a 12-day break before resuming conference play at Siskiyous on Feb. 8, and they will then play a key game at Butte two days later.

And Tuey believes they are in good position to challenge for at least a playoff spot, even if they are unable to catch Butte.

The Corsairs played a tough pre-conference schedule, something that appears to be now paying dividends for the team.

“I’m really excited for how the girls are playing right now,” the coach said. “We’re starting to peak.”