WHITTIER, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2022) – Whittier dropped its season opener Sunday, 67-63, at home against UC Santa Cruz despite monster performances from sophomore guard Rhe Nae Leach and senior forward Lainie James. Video highlights of the game can be viewed HERE. 

Leach was everywhere, scoring a career-high and game-high-tying 30 points, and her eight rebounds, six steals and two blocks were also game highs. Not only did the Riverside native score, rebound, pass and defend; she was also efficient offensively, shooting 12-for-26 from the field, 2-3 from distance and 4-5 from the free throw line. Leach has now set a career high in points in each of her last two contests (she scored a then-career high 22 points Mar. 4 in Whittier's Division III NCAA Tournament game).

James had a beautiful stat line herself with 25 points on a career-high 7-for-11 three-pointers and 8-for-16 from the floor. The 2021-22 All-SCIAC Second Team honoree also contributed four assists and two steals.

Senior guard Lizzie Scriven also had a strong game, dishing a game-high-tying five assists, securing five rebounds and adding two steals. She also drained her only shot attempt, a three-pointer that banked in.

The back-and-forth contest featured eight ties and four lead changes and produced even head-to-head team stats. Each team had 17 turnovers, 16 points in the paint and 15 assists. In terms of points off turnovers, Whittier held the narrow edge, 20-19.

Whittier shot an impressive 11-for-20 from beyond the arc (55.0%) and had 11 steals Sunday, which allowed it to stay in the game.

The Banana Slugs led 63-54 with under a minute remaining and looked poised to coast for the win, but James had other ideas. She went on a 9-2 run herself, drilling her next three three-point attempts to cut the Whittier deficit to 65-63.

The Poets then intentionally fouled with nine seconds left, but Tess Oakley-Stilson sank both free throws, and the Banana Slugs won 67-63.

Whittier's next game comes Friday at home against University of Anelope Valley at 7 p.m.

Photos: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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