Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Whittier College women's basketball team threatened the Tigers of Occidental College Saturday evening in the nightcap following the triple overtime men's game but in the end the second half comeback would be too late as they fell 66-58.

In one of their closest contests of the year, the Purple & Gold fought back in the second half outscoring Oxy 33-32 but it would be for no avail, as the Poets would fall by eight. 

Oxy jumped in front 17-2 quickly and then extended it to 25-9, but a 7-0 run late in the half helped Whittier pull within nine at the break.

In the second, Whittier stormed back with an 8-0 run thanks to a layup by Carly Buechler, a layin and free throw from Kaylah Alexander, and a three pointer from Danielle Hays that pulled WC within three 52-49.  With 1:31 left Whittier would pull within three once again after a Hays jumper and a layup and free throw from Dannika Navales-Lugtu but an Elizabeth Messick layup and three free throws under thirty seconds to play would secure the victory for the Tigers. 

Hays finished the game with a career high 24 points on 9-15 shooting to go with seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.  She was joined by Buechler who chipped in with 11 points off the bench on 4-9 shooting.  Ashley Genie who totaled just six points on the night collected a team high 11 rebounds.

For Oxy, Ashton Reid led all scorers off the bench with 20 points and was joined by Messick who finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, and six blocks.  The last Tiger to reach double digits was Brittni Walker who finished with 11 points, while Alyssa Mort collected 10 rebounds.

Whittier travels this week, Thursday, February 20 when they travel to Cal Lutheran University to take on the Regals beginning at 7:30pm.