Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Basketball team played the Regals of Cal Lutheran University tight Wednesday night on the road but couldn't complete the win as they fell 79-73.
Whittier has now lost three straight and fall to 8-13, 5-7 SCIAC but still remain in the hunt for a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Post Season Tournament berth as they sit in 5th a game out of 4th.
Four Poets recorded double digit scoring efforts led by sophomore Cali Cubel (Oceanside, Calif.) who poured in 16 points on 3-of-9 shooting. She was supported by Teani White (Burbank, Calif.) who added an impressive stat line of 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and six steals, while Monica Hanna (Bellflower, Calif.) and Mia Maglinte (Roseville, Calif.) each registered 10 points apiece along with seven boards, respectively.
Off the bench, Whittier had a strong effort from Emily Guerena (Montebello, Calif.) who added eight points on 3-of-9 shooting in 21 minutes of action, while Daisy Cardenas (Santa Clarita, Calif.) and Emilee Dy (Chino Hills, Calif.) chipped in with six points apiece.
The Purple & Gold let the game slip away late. They went on a 10-3 run with seven minutes left in the fourth. A couple triples from Maglinte and Cardenas made it a two possession game at 66-60 with 5:17 to play but it wouldn't hold as CLU began chipping away. A layup and free throws from the Regals pulled them right back into the contest. Hanna added a jumper on the Poets next possession to keep the margin at four but an ensuing 11-0 run by CLU would swing the momentum in a big way as they took the lead at 75-68, which proved enough to pull off the comeback win.
Whittier shot 42% from the field and 33% from behind the arc. They were outrebounded 36-30 but forced 17 turnovers, which led to 25 points. Free throws proved costly for WC as they went 13-19 (68%), while CLU was 26-30 (87%).
Whittier returns home this Saturday, February 3 for PAC the GAC as they host La Verne with tip-off set for 7:00pm. This will also be Whittier's Senior Night as they send off their lone graduate Emilee Dy.
