ORANGE, Calif. (December 31, 2022) - The Poets ended 2022 with an impressive performance, holding the No. 4 team in the nation, the Amherst Mammoths, to 53 points, in a competitive loss. Watch Whittier game highlights HERE.

The season low in points for the mighty Mammoths, who now improve to 9-1, is 52. Whittier's strong defense held the Mammoths in check, allowing just one Amherst athlete to tally double-digit points.

Sophomore Rhe Nae Leach led the Poets in scoring with 25 (9-15 FG) of the team's 42. She also recorded a game-high eight rebounds and a game-high-tying five steals.

The game was close throughout the first quarter and the beginning of the second, featuring 11 lead changes and one tie. The Poets' 23-21 advantage around the 7-minute mark of the second was the final lead Whittier would hold, as Amherst dominated the quarter, 17-5.

Excluding the lopsided second quarter, Whittier held a 37-36 advantage in the contest.

The difference in the game came in points off turnover and field goal percentage. The Mammoths outscored the Poets off turnovers, 23-4, and outshot their west coast counterparts 45.7% to 34.9%.

In the 53-42 loss, junior transfer Citlalli Gurrola contributed two three-pointers (2-5 3PT) and two steals in 32 minutes off the bench. The San Diego native has drilled 12 three-pointers over her last five games.

Whittier opens the calendar year Saturday, Jan. 7 in a conference matchup at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (2 p.m.).

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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