WHITTIER, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2025) – Freshman forward
Kennedy Perksins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) was one of several notable contributors to Whittier's 10-point victory over Caltech on Wednesday night. The victory makes the Poets the owners of a seven-game winning streak that is tops in the SCIAC. The victory is also notable for the Poets snapping a five-game losing streak to the Beavers dating back to the SCIAC Championship season of 2021-22.
Three different Whittier players double-doubled on Wednesday night, but Perkins' was notable for being the first of her young career. Wednesday also represents the freshman's second-consecutive game with double-digit rebounds, putting her in good company with teammates
Rhe Nae Leach (Moreno Valley, Calif. / John W. North) and
Lorita Salloom (Santa Clarita, Calif. / Saugus / College of the Canyons). Together, the Whittier trio combined for 37 of their team's 52 rebounds, and actually matched the Beavers' total rebounds for the game.
Whittier's dominance on the glass put them over the top, but the collective defense had just as much of a role in Wednesday's win. While Whittier ultimately ceded 62 points to Caltech, the score can be deceiving, as the Poets allowed just 35 to the Beavers over the first three periods, and it was only when the game was out of hand the Caltech offense began to come to life. Through the game's first 30 minutes, Whittier held Caltech to just 5-of-23 shooting from three-point land, and took a 20-point lead into the final period of play. Leach, this week's SCIAC Offensive Athlete of the Week, demonstrated why she could again contend for the crown with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. One game after coming just one assist shy of a double-double, Leach turned in a repeat offensive performance coming just one assist away from achieving the harrowed feat. Leach holds a substantial lead in the SCIAC scoring race, averaging just over five point per game more than the next highest scorer. She is also the SCIAC co-leader in conference-only assists, and ranks among the top five in rebounds per game, blocks per game, and steals per game.
Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets will look to successfully run the table through their first round of SCIAC action when they host California Lutheran University on Saturday, Jan. 25 for a 2 p.m. game.
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