ORANGE, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2025) – The Whittier College women's basketball team delivered a strong, competitive performance on the road Wednesday night, but ultimately fell 66–60 to Chapman in a tightly contested SCIAC matchup at Hutton Sports Center.
The game featured multiple momentum swings and five ties, with neither team able to fully separate until the closing minutes. Whittier matched Chapman shot-for-shot through the middle quarters and cut the deficit to a single possession late in the fourth, but a strong finish at the free-throw line by the Panthers proved decisive.
While upperclassmen Brooklyn Giles (Fairfield, Calif. / Early College High School / California State University, Los Angeles) and Xochitl Hood (Whittier, Calif. / Troy / Fullerton College) led the Poets with 13 points apiece, the night belonged to freshman Lanakila Nitta (Honolulu, Hawaii / Kamehameha), who turned in a breakout performance in her first collegiate scoring effort. Entering the game without a career point, Nitta erupted for 10 points on a near-perfect shooting night, going 3-for-4 from the floor, 2-for-2 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. The freshman's confidence and composure provided a crucial lift for Whittier throughout the second half and marked a major milestone in her young career.
Giles delivered the most efficient shooting performance of her NCAA career, finishing 5-for-6 from the field while attacking the paint and creating opportunities offensively. Hood matched her scoring total with 13 points of her own, adding four assists and two steals while continuing her steady two-way impact.
Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) contributed nine points and four rebounds, while Shushan Krikorian (McLean, Va. / McLean / Glendale College) added eight points and four boards in extended minutes. Jadyn Patterson (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian / California State University, Stanislaus) logged 39 minutes and chipped in six points and six rebounds, helping Whittier remain competitive on the glass and defensively.
The Poets shot 44 percent from the field and outscored Chapman in the paint, but the difference came at the free-throw line, where the Panthers converted 17-of-20 attempts. Despite the result, Whittier's balanced scoring and emergence of new contributors highlighted the team's growing depth as conference play continues.
Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets move to 7–7 overall and 2–4 in SCIAC play. Whittier will return home to Dave Jacobs Court on Saturday, January 17, at 4 p.m. to host the Redlands Bulldogs, who are currently receiving votes nationally, in another key conference matchup.
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