Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – Tuesday was a banner night for senior Kourtney Zilbert as her 23 points put her over the career 1000-point plateau and helped the Poets earn their first win of the season.

Zilbert was an efficient 11-of-13 from the field as Whittier (1-3) rolled to an 82-55 win over Pacific Union (0-7) at the Graham Athletics Center.

The Burbank, Calif., native's 1000th point came on a layup just five minutes into the second half. Sitting on 999 points, Brittany Aranda found Zilbert under the basket, in transition, for the easy deuce. She entered the year just 56 points shy of the illustrious club and now has a 12.7 points per game average for her career.

In addition to her game-high point total, Zilbert led all with nine rebounds and four steals.

The Poets played fast and aggressive from the start of the game and never looked back after taking an 8-6 lead at the 16:47 mark. Whittier shot over 55 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes and held a comfortable, 47-23, lead at the break.

Despite outscoring the Pioneers by only three points in the second half, the Poets shot over 43 percent from the field and finished the game with an even 50 percent mark from the floor. Whittier was 33-of-66 which includes a 4-of-15 effort from long range.

Monica Salazar and Bianca Mitchell each hit on a pair of three-pointers as they finished with 14 and six points, each, respectively. Salazar's total was a career-high.

Keimi Lew played the point guard position to near perfection finishing with a career-high 11 assists and two steals. She added five points and two boards in the win.

Aranda scored nine points (all in the first half) and had four rebounds while Tina Merlino recorded eight points.

Defensively, Whittier held Pacific Union to just 28 percent shooting and 2-of-15 from deep. The Pioneers had 28 turnovers as the Poets finished with 15 steals.

The win is the first of an eight-game home stand that ends on January 4. The Poets return to the hardwood on Saturday, December 4, as they host La Sierra at 7:30 pm.