Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College women's basketball team headlined day one of the Southern California Classic Saturday as they earned a hard fought 74-60 victory over Bristol University for their first victory of the 2014-15 season.

Carly Buechler (Denver, CO) led the Purple & Gold with her breakout game of her career finishing with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting coupled with five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.

Whittier held a slight advantage at the break 27-23 following a poor shooting performance in the first half and after trailing 9-2 and then 17-13.  But WC fought sparked by Buechler who knocked down a three ball and a jumper from the baseline that gave the Poets their first lead of the game at the 3:05 mark. 

This lead would then extend to 24-21 after two free throws from Bailey Russ (Oakland, Calif.) and Kamila Auls (Long Beach, Calif.) would finish the half off with three of her own that gave the Poets a small cushion.

Buechler would again take over in the second half putting together another 5-0 run that moved the lead to nine 38-29.  Kejuana Gardner attempted to keep the Bears in the game with 17 of her game high 23 points coming in the second half but Whittier would come up with big baskets down the stretch when they needed them to hold on for the 14 point victory.

Ana Youngblood (Berkeley, Calif.) was called upon to play quality minutes with Krishauna Leftridge (Washington D.C.) nursing an injury.  Youngblood tossed in a season high 15 points and picked up her first double double of the season finishing with 12 boards.

Priscilla Rodriguez (East Los Angeles, Calif.) led the guard play with 11 points in 29 minutes of action, while chipping in with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 

Dannika Navales-Lugtu (San Francisco, Calif.) led the bench scoring with seven points, while Deja Johnson-Ford (Berkeley, Calif.) picked up five points and seven boards.

Whittier wraps up the Classic Sunday, November 23 when they take on Northwest Conference opponent Linfield beginning at 5:00pm.