Photo by: Davis Gerber

WHITTIER, Calif. – Points in the paint and rebounding proved costly Thursday night as the Whittier College women's basketball team dropped a 78-54 decision to Redlands in the Graham Athletic Center. 

Nicole Ruffino (Las Vegas, NV) came out strong in the first half with 11 points on 4-6 shooting, which included two three pointers.  Whittier held an early 9-8 lead but saw it evaporate thirty seconds later when Redlands used an 11-0 run to get back in front by double digits 19-9.  The Poets managed to pull within six with 10:07 to play but that's as close as they would get in the half as UR would put together ten unanswered to extend their lead 33-17.

Ruffino fought back however tallying the next six points herself to pull the Purple & Gold within ten but the Bulldogs would close out the frame on an 8-2 run to go into the locker room leading 41-25.

Out of the break Whittier and Redlands swapped baskets over the first three minutes of play.  The lead would get up to as many as twenty five in favor of the Bulldogs and despite 10 of her team high 14 points occurring in the frame, senior forward Danielle Hays (San Diego, Calif.) was unable to lift the Poets to the come from behind victory as UR would roll to the 24 point victory.

Ashley Genie (Whittier, Calif.) missed out on a double double finishing with eight points and eight rebounds along with a game high three steals. 

For Redlands, three players recorded double figures led by Brittany Oster who tallied 17 points, 13 boards, four assists, and two steals, while Kameran Dage and Kaity Lykins chipped in with 17 and 14 points, each respectively. 

Whittier shot 41% from the field, while UR shot 50%.  UR held the advantage on the glass 40-25 and controlled the paint 36-28. 

The Poets remain at home this Saturday, January 25 when they welcome Cal Lutheran University with game time set for 7:00pm.