WHITTIER, Calif. (Nov. 22, 2025) – The Whittier College women's basketball team went basket for basket with George Fox University on Saturday afternoon at Dave Jacobs Court, but the Poets came up just short in a tight 64–66 matchup. Despite the setback, Whittier delivered its most efficient offensive showing of the season, shooting 49 percent from the field and showcasing continued growth from its new-look roster.

Transfer guards Shushan Krikorian (McLean, Va. / McLean / Concordia University Irvine / Glendale College) and Brooklyn Giles (Fairfield, Calif. / Early College High School / Napa Valley College / Cal State Los Angeles) led the charge. Krikorian scored a team-high 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while Giles added a season-best 15 points and four rebounds. Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) stuffed the stat sheet with 8 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, and Yaneli Rosales Beltran (San Diego, Calif. / Mount Miguel) chipped in eight points, continuing her steady presence in the starting lineup.

Whittier fought back multiple times after early double-digit deficits, using a strong third quarter to pull within striking distance before making a final push in the closing minutes. The Poets outscored the Bruins 18–15 in the third and 17–13 in the fourth, but the comeback fell just shy at the buzzer.

Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets move to 3–1 and will look to bounce back when they host the University of Puget Sound on Wednesday, November 26, at 4 p.m. on Dave Jacobs Court.
 

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