Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Basketball team found themselves in a tight contest late once again Saturday afternoon but was unable to come away with the victory as they fell 58-51 to the University of Redlands.

A combined 59 fouls were called between the Poets and Bulldogs, which proved difficult for both teams to get into any rhythm.  But UR was able to lead the entire 40 minutes handing the Purple & Gold their fifth straight loss. 

Redlands wasted very little time starting the game off on an 8-2 run.  The Poets managed to get Bulldog center Reyna Ta'amu into foul trouble early in the first quarter forcing her out of the game.  That helped open the middle and they took advantage.  Christine Miller (Gilbert, AZ) and Amia Thrash (Eastvale, Calif.) added three free-throws, Priscilla Rodriguez (East Los Angeles, Calif.) knocked down a triple and Ana Youngblood (Berkeley, Calif.) would knock down a jumper and free throw that made the score 15-11 after the first ten minutes.

The Bulldogs stretched their lead in the second holding the Poets to single digits, while taking a 26-18 lead into the break.

Rodriguez opened up the third quarter with a layup that cut the lead to six but UR would go on an ensuing 8-0 run that made the score 34-20 at the 6:48 mark.  Another run of six straight for Redlands would expand the deficit to 18 but that would fuel the Poet comeback. 

Rodriguez would again take over knocking down a three-pointer from straight away and would convert on two free throws a minute later and would get help from Elizabeth Castillo (Montebello, Calif.) and Kaylah Alexander (Altoona, PA) who would add the final three points of the frame.           

Going into the fourth, the Poets trailed by 15 but managed to comeback outscoring Redlands 21-13 providing them a scare.  An early 6-0 run with Carly Buechler (Denver, CO) and Kamila Auls (Long Beach, Calif.) adding layups and Alexander adding two free throws would get things started.

But the turning point started with 5:36 to play with Whittier putting together an impressive 11-0 response that moved WC within four 51-47.  Buechler started things off with a three-pointer, six consecutive free throws from Daniza Rodriguez (San Jose, Calif.), Youngblood, and Castillo would add to the run and Rodriguez would take a missed Bulldog shot coast to coast with a lay-up.

But a 7-2 run from UR would switch the momentum back with the Bulldogs and despite a last second jumper from Rodriguez as time expired it wouldn't be enough for the victory.

Rodriguez finished with 16 points to lead all scorers.  She was the lone Poet in double figures with the next closest coming from Youngblood who had seven and nine boards.  

Whittier wraps up their first round of conference play this Tuesday, January 26 when they travel to Caltech to take on the Beavers beginning at 7:30pm.