LA VERNE, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2025) – The Whittier College women's basketball team earned its second SCIAC win of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating La Verne 59–51 at The Tents in conference action.
After a slow offensive start, the Poets settled in and steadily took control. Whittier responded with a strong second quarter before delivering its best stretch of the game in the third, outscoring the Leopards 21–15 while shooting nearly 78 percent from the floor to swing momentum on the road.
Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) was the standout performer, recording her third career double-double and second of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Perkins was flawless at the free-throw line, converting all eight of her attempts while anchoring the Poets on both ends of the floor.
The third quarter surge was fueled by Shushan Krikorian (McLean, Va. / McLean / Glendale College), who scored 11 of her 12 points in that frame alone, helping Whittier seize control heading into the final period. Xochitl Hood (Whittier, Calif. / Troy / Fullerton College) delivered one of her most complete performances of the season, setting a new NCAA career high with five assists while adding six points, six rebounds, and strong defensive pressure.
Jadyn Patterson (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian / California State University, Stanislaus) and Brooklyn Giles (Fairfield, Calif. / Early College High School / California State University, Los Angeles) added some good production as well, with Patterson posting her best three-point shooting performance of the season and Giles continuing her reliable two-way presence in the rotation.
Whittier also received solid contributions off the bench. Delaney Castagna (Carmel, Calif. / Carmel / Arizona Christian University) provided efficient minutes, going 2-for-2 from the field in 21 minutes, while freshman Helen Rosales Beltran (San Diego, Calif. / Lincoln) knocked down the second three-pointer of her collegiate career.
Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets improve to 7-6 overall and 2-3 in SCIAC play. Whittier will look to carry that momentum forward as they continue conference action on the road against Chapman University on Saturday, January 14, at 7 p.m. in Orange, Calif.
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