Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Nov. 24, 2021) – The Whittier College women's basketball team proved once again how potent it can be during the second-half, but fell short of completing the comeback against Whitworth University on Thanksgiving Eve.

Senior point guard Teani White (Burbank, Calif. / Viewpoint) found herself at the center of the Poets' big second half, scoring all 17 of her points over the game's final 20 minutes, and 12 of her points came during a third-quarter where she was perfect from the field and at the free-throw line. Senior transfer Amy Navarro (Pico Rivera, Calif. / Rio Hondo Community College) also had a hand in the Poets' second-half display of tenacity, hitting a big three-pointer late in the third quarter to cut the Pirates' lead to eight. Five of her seven points were scored during that span. Meanwhile, starting forward Lainie James (La Habra, Calif. / Sonora) helped support scoring for the Poets with 12 points over a team-high 35 minutes on the floor.

As has been the case in previous games on the young season, the Poets took some time to find a rhythm. Once they settled into a rhythm, the offense came to life, but the same can be said for the Pirates who also did their best work over the second half. For the Poets, the second-half surge had everything to do with finishing around the net. White, who attempted just one shot over the first 20 minutes, began to find open looks and gave her team a primary option on the inside and outside. One of her most notable scores came on a successful layup on which she was fouled, forcing the Pirates to regroup and take a 30-second breather. The senior's success around the rim also opened things up for her teammates, as three of her five assists came in the fourth quarter alone. Her only first-half assist came on a dish to classmate Daisy Cardenas (Santa Clarita, Calif. / Canyon) who fired successfully from three-point land. The Poets can also take solace in that they not only won the turnover battle, 13-17, but that they forced three times as many takeaways as the Pirates did (9-3). Whittier's ability to force its opponents into uncomfortable areas will be an asset when conference play begins next week.

Head Coach Roy Dow and the Poets will enjoy the time off and return to Dave Jacobs Court on Wednesday, Dec. 1 when they make their 2021-22 SCIAC debut against Occidental College (2-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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