Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. - Junior Tina
Merlino had a career night as she led the Whittier College
women's basketball team to a 77-65 win over the University of La
Verne with a 19-point, 19-rebound, effort on Saturday evening at
the Graham Athletics Center.
The Poets (10-5, 3-1 SCIAC) found themselves in a must win
situation following their setback to Pomona-Pitzer on Thursday
night and the purple and gold responded.
Whittier controlled the glass and the paint as it outscored La
Verne (8-7, 1-3 SCIAC) 36-20 from inside and had a 15-rebound
advantage over the Leopards. The Poets grabbed 50 boards, which
includes 26 on the offensive end of the court, to ULV's 35.
Merlino led the way for Whittier on 8-of-15 shooting. Fellow
junior Kourtney Zilbert added her own
double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Merlino and Zilbert
combined for 19 offensive rebounds.
As a team the Poets only shot 35 percent from the floor but
finished 21-of-27 from the charity stripe to help clinch the game
down the stretch.
Morgan Sabala added 14 points while
Keimi Lew chipped in with eight points and a
game-high five assists.
The Poets return to action on Thursday, January 21, as they host
Redlands at 7:30 pm.
