Rosario Rios-Aguilar '08 scored a team-high 20 points, but Whittier College lost 87-62 to SCIAC rival, the University of La Verne in La Verne, Calif., on January 19.  It is the second straight conference loss for the Poets, who are now 6-8 overall and 2-2 in SCIAC play.

Rios-Aguilar scored 20 points for the second consecutive game and was also credited with eight rebounds and four assists.  Kourtney Zilbert '11 scored eleven points and pulled down eight rebounds.  Marie Vodicska '11 finished with ten points and Morgan Sabala '11 hit three shots from long distance for nine points.

La Verne (11-4, 4-0) was led by Trenecca Jones, who posted a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.  Marissa Raya scored a game-high 23 points, including five three-pointers, and finished with five rebounds, five steals and three assists.  Emily Carillo scored 20 points and grabbed nine boards.  Lindsey Shiomi rounded out the Leopards scoring with eleven points.

The Poets trailed by eleven at halftime, thanks to an outstanding shooting performance from La Verne.  The Leopards shot nearly 52% from the field in the first half, while Whittier was just under 40%.  La Verne stayed hot in the second half, shooting over 53%, including five three's.  The Poets improved their shooting in the second half at over 45%, but couldn't find their shot from distance, only converting on one attempt in the final stanza. 

The Poets are on the road again for their next contest, a SCIAC battle on January 24 against Redlands.  The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm