Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College Women's Basketball team extended their winning streak to six games Wednesday night as they won three of four quarters to beat the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer.
The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) showdown was a much anticipated match-up between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams within the conference but by the end of the night the Purple & Gold would prevail improving to 11-6, 5-2 SCIAC.
For the game Whittier shot 42% from the field and 31% from three-point territory. They had the advantage inside outrebounding the Sagehens 44-29 and added 24 points in the paint. The difference in the game came from the Poets bench who outscored the Sagehens 32-9 led by Emily Guerena (Montebello, Calif.) who posted a double double of a game high 14 points and 12 boards.
Pomona-Pitzer put together a big opening quarter outscoring the Poets 21-11 thanks to six three pointers, four of which came from Carly Leong who put up 13 in the frame. Whittier though wouldn't be denied as they would storm back to outscore PP in the 2nd Quarter 18-12, while limiting the Sagehens to just 15% from the floor with no triples. Whittier started the quarter off on a 13-1 run, which included five in a row from freshman Lizzie Scriven (Portland, OR). This swung the momentum putting Whittier on top 24-22. But this lead wouldn't hold as PP would find their offense stringing together nine of the next eleven that helped give Pomona-Pitzer a 33-29 lead at the break.
Out of the half both teams put up 13 points, as PP held onto a crucial four-point lead. Then over the final 10:00 minutes it was all Purple & Gold outscoring the Sagehens 24-6. Whittier started off the frame with a 6-2 run that knotted things up at 46-46. Over the next two minutes PP was able to keep a small advantage but it wouldn't hold as Cyerra Dillard (Fremont, Calif.) would spark an 11-0 run for the Purple & Gold. During this spurt WC was able to hold the high powered Sagehen offense scoreless over 3:44. Then with 2:00 minutes to play the Poets came up clutch from the charity stripe knocking down seven that secured the home win.
Teani White (Burbank, Calif.) finished with 13 points and added four rebounds and four assists. Scriven had the game of her career adding 11 points with seven boards and Cali Cubel (Oceanside, Calif.) chipped in with nine points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Shaeleigh Wright (Long Beach, Calif.) played physical all night inside, which led to her adding seven points, seven boards and a pair of steals.
Whittier now has a test with three consecutive road match-ups beginning with Occidental College this Saturday, January 18 beginning at 4:00pm.
