WHITTIER, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2025) – The Whittier College women's basketball team made it two straight to open the 2025–26 season, edging out UC Santa Cruz 51–50 on Friday night at Dave Jacobs Court. The Poets trailed by six with just over three minutes remaining before rallying late, capped by a spectacular sequence from sophomore forward Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi).

With 11 seconds left, Xochitl Hood (Whittier, Calif. / Troy / Fullerton College) drove into the lane and dished to Perkins, who finished through traffic to put Whittier ahead 51–50. On the ensuing defensive possession, Perkins blocked two consecutive UCSC attempts to seal the win, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Perkins finished with 14 points, three rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, while Hood added nine points and six rebounds, along with the crucial assist on the game-winning play. Shushan Krikorian (McLean, Va. / McLean / Concordia University Irvine / Glendale College) chipped in 10 points and four assists, while sophomore Alexia Valencia (Santa Ana, Calif. / Pacifica Christian / Rio Hondo College) provided a spark off the bench going 2 for 3 from beyond the perimeter.

The victory also featured the NCAA debuts of freshmen Helen Rosales Beltran (San Diego, Calif. / Lincoln), the younger sister of junior guard Yaneli Rosales Beltran (San Diego, Calif. / Mount Miguel), and Lanakila Nitta (Honolulu, Hawaii / Kamehameha), as Head Coach Kristen Dowling continues to integrate a largely new roster. Coach Dowling and the Poets will look to stay unbeaten when they host the Life Pacific Warriors on Saturday, November 15, at 2 p.m. back at Dave Jacobs Court.

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