Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College women's basketball team despite seeing a strong first half defensively against a high powered Regal offense, they were unable to stop the 35 points scored in the second as they fell 59-38 Thursday evening to Cal Lutheran University. 

Whittier now drops to 5-16, 2-9 SCIAC, while Cal Lutheran improves to 18-3, 10-2 SCIAC keeping pace at the top spot in the SCIAC rankings. 

For the second straight meeting between these two programs, Whittier has put together a strong first half holding the Regals to under 25 points, but in both games, Whittier finds themselves on the opposite side of losses. 

Whittier was led offensively by Alex Coon who finished with 10 points and six rebounds, while Monica Salazar chipped in with eight points and six boards.

The Purple & Gold opened up the game on a 9-2 run thanks to eight straight from Salazar, which stunned the Regal faithful.  Over the next eight minutes, both the Poets and Regals went back and forth until Cal Lutheran took the lead 17-15 at the 10:12 mark after Jazmyne Porter knocked down a three pointer.  Over the next 13 minutes, Cal Lutheran held the Poets scoreless before Danielle Hays connected on a jumper with nine seconds to play that brought the Poets within seven at the half.

Coming out in the second, Whittier cut the lead to five with 14:20 to play, but after back to back baskets from Rachel Heagy, Cal Lutheran extended their lead to nine.  Later in the second half, Cal Lutheran again held the Poets scoreless over a period of five minutes, while they went on a 12-0 run that extended their lead to 14 at 43-29. 

Despite getting baskets in bunches down the stretch, Whittier was unable to put together a run that would have cut into the CLU deficit. 

For Cal Lutheran, Starla Wright led all scorers tossing in a double double with 17 points and 17 boards, while Alex Nelson chipped in with 13 points. 

Whittier returns home as they host the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands, tomorrow, Saturday, February 2 with tip-off set for 5:00pm.