TACOMA, Wash. (Nov. 25, 2022) – Whittier College won its second consecutive game with a 65-58 defeat of Lewis & Clark Friday afternoon on a neutral court. View the game highlights HERE.

Senior Lainie James dominated with a career-high 27 points (her previous high was 26 points in a SCIAC Postseason Tournament win over Pomona-Pitzer last season) and seven rebounds. She made 10-of-15 shots, including 5-for-10 from behind the three-point line. James has already drilled 18 long balls in four games this season, shooting an otherworldly 51.4% from deep. Her percentage from the floor is also excellent at 51.7%, and she now paces the Poets in scoring average at 20.5 per game.

Sophomore Rhe Nae Leach, the team's second-leading scorer, poured in 14 points and led the team in rebounds (nine), assists (six) and steals (four; tied with Lizzie Scriven). Ten of Leach's points in the contest came in the first quarter.

Scriven had four steals for the second straight game, matching her career high.

Junior transfer wing Lalli Gurrola enjoyed her best game as a Poet, delivering 15 points in 30 minutes off the bench. She was on fire from long distance, draining 5-for-9.

The Poets led for 90.3% of the game, and the Pioneers' last lead of the afternoon came in the early minutes when they held a 6-5 advantage. As a team, Whittier shot 47.8% from long range, hitting 11-for-23 three-point attempts.

The Poets' defense was impressive again, limited the Pioneers to 35% from the field, 23.3% from beyond the arc (7-for-30). Most impressively, the Poets had 14 steals.

Whittier finishes its stretch of three games in Tacoma Saturday 1 p.m. at the University of Puget Sound.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

Follow and show support for your Whittier Poets on Twitter (@WCPoets), YouTube and Instagram (@PoetAthletics)!