Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Basketball team had a big second half Wednesday evening as they pulled away late to dismiss the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer 78-54.

The Purple & Gold continue to stay within striking distance in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Standings as they improve to 5-13, 4-5 SCIAC.

Cali Cubel (Oceanside, Calif.) and Emilee Dy (Chino Hills, Calif.) put together some impressive performances, each pouring in 20 points.  Cubel also grabbed six boards had a couple steals and was 9-of-12 from the floor.

Dy was 6-for-9 and was a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.  Ana Youngblood (Berkeley, Calif.) added a double double with 12 points and 10 boards, while Daniza Rodriguez (San Jose, Calif.) chipped in with 10 points, three assists, two steals, and three rebounds.

Whittier trailed early 7-5 following a Pomona-Pitzer three-pointer.  The Poets came back though with Youngblood adding the next six, while Margo Campos (Norwalk, Calif.) would add a layup and Dy with a pair of free throws that gave them back the lead at 15-11.  The Sagehens though stayed close as they pulled within one to end the first period at 17-16.

Pomona opened up the second quarter with two baskets to regain the lead at 20-17 but once again it wouldn't hold as Whittier would storm back to take control with Dy adding a triple and three free throws that moved the score to 22-20.

Rodriguez would knock down a three-pointer soon after that extended the WC lead to 26-22 and they wouldn't look back as they would take a 38-31 lead into the break before outscoring the Sagehens 40-23 in the second half en route to the lopsided victory. 

Pomona got within three at one point at 44-41 in the third quarter but the Poets offense would explode with an ensuing 17-2 run that put the game out of reach.

Carly Buechler (Greenwood Village, CO) added eight points, three assists, and four boards in 26 minutes of action, while Campos finished with seven points off the bench.

Whittier shot a season high 47% from the field and 46% from behind the arc.  They outrebounded PP 44-22 and outscored the Sagehens 34-18 in the paint. 

Whittier travels this Saturday, January 28 as they take on Occidental College with game time set for 5:00pm.