WHITTIER, Calif. (December 21, 2022) - Playing with a bulky face mask that restricted her vision, sophomore Rhe Nae Leach (29 points on 11-19 FG, 15 rebounds and three assists) dominated the Whitworth Pirates, leading the Poets to a 61-53 home win Wednesday afternoon. View the highlights HERE.

Leach said it took several health clearances for her to play with the last coming just two hours before tip.

"I felt blind, literally," Wednesday's star said of wearing a mask during the game. "I couldn't see that well, but I still gave it all for my team. Realizing that breaking my nose wasn't the end, only a boudnary I had to overcome, made me better and want to play harder for this team."

Despite the barrier, the dynamic guard from Riverside delivered an impressive performance, snapping Whittier's five-game losing streak.

The Poets, still missing key contributors, suited up nine players, despite finishing Saturday's game with just six. In addition to Leach, centers freshman Briana Green and senior Bella Robles returned to the court.

Whitworth jumped out to a 13-4 lead, which ended up being its largest of the game, but Whittier stormed back. After trailing 18-13 at the end of the first quarter, the Poets went on a 9-0 run that included four points from senior forward Lainie James and five from Leach. Although Whittier would lead the rest of the way, the game remained close until the end of the third when a Leach layup at the buzzer gave the Poets an 11-point lead.

Another layup by Leach produced the Poets' largest advantage of the night with 6:34 to go in the game, making the score 57-41. The Pirates then got hot, cutting their deficit to 58-52 with 1:34 left, after embarking on an 11-1 run.

On the next Whittier possession, Leach drew a foul and drained both free throws to restore order. Ultimately, Whittier strolled into the holiday break with a 61-53 statement win.

"This win says it all," Leach said. "We executed the little things we had to work on on defense and executed on offense. We saw how simple the game gets when we play Poet basketball. This showed that, with discipline and execution, we can beat anyone."

Get used to seeing Leach rocking her mask, because the explosive guard has to wear it for six weeks until her nose is healed. She easily leads the SCIAC in points per game this season with 18.9 (the next closest player is averaging 17.0) and is shooting an outstanding 46.5%. 

Head coach Roy Dow spoke about his team's resilience.

"It's been a long eight weeks adjusting to the myriad of injuries," Dow said. "Too many practices with six or seven players has our number of quality skill repetitions way down, and the inability to play five-on-five has slowed our growth and learning to play with one another. BUT the available players haven't flinched at the challenge and have taken advantage of the opportunities."

Just three Poets besides Leach scored in the game: James (16), senior guard Lizzie Scriven (10) and junior transfer Citlalli Gurrola (six).

James added four rebounds, three steals and a game-high-tying five assists.

Scriven secured five boards, also recorded five assists and the tenacious defender grabbed a game-high four steals. She now ranks second in the conference in steals (32) and third in steals per game (3.2).

"Every time we start to emerge, another injury hits us, most recently Rhe Nae's broken nose against Redlands," Dow continued. "At the end of the first quarter, 12-10, coming off of exams, and she suffers that accident. That was a haymaker to us. But then, we battled George Fox and ran out of gas with six players. And then today, some of the injured players played limited minutes but made huge contributions."

On Wedensday afternoon, the suffocating Whittier defense shined again, limiting Whitworth to 30.0% shooting and forcing 15 turnovers.

The resilient Poets return to the hardwood Dec. 31 to face the No. 6-ranked team in Division III, the Amherst Mammoths, at 1:30 p.m. in a neutral game hosted by Chapman University.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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