LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2025) – The Whittier College women's basketball team turned in its highest-scoring SCIAC performance of the season Monday afternoon, putting together a strong offensive showing in a tightly contested 73–67 conference matchup at Rush Gym against Occidental. The game marked a rematch between the two programs and featured consistent energy from start to finish.
Whittier came out sharp in the opening quarter, shooting efficiently and setting the tone defensively to take an early lead. After a challenging second period, the Poets regrouped coming out of halftime and delivered their best stretch of basketball in the third quarter, shooting over 60 percent from the field while knocking down three triples to stay firmly within reach.
The Purple & Gold continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 points over the final 10 minutes and attacking the paint with confidence. Whittier finished the game shooting over 43 percent from the field and an impressive 82 percent from the free-throw line, consistently converting opportunities in key moments.
Shushan Krikorian (McLean, Va. / McLean / Glendale College) led the offensive charge with 21 points, tying her career high and logging her second 20-point performance of the season. The senior also added five assists while playing nearly the entire game. Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) followed with a well-rounded performance, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while setting a new career high with four blocks on the defensive end.
Brooklyn Giles (Fairfield, Calif. / Early College High School / California State University, Los Angeles) recorded her third double-double of the season, posting 13 points and 11 rebounds to anchor Whittier inside. Xochitl Hood (Whittier, Calif. / Troy / Fullerton College) provided a strong lift off the bench, tallying nine points and grabbing eight rebounds in one of her most productive rebounding efforts of the season. Together, the Poets controlled the paint with 34 points down low and showcased balanced scoring across the lineup.
Whittier now stands at 7–9 overall and 2–6 in SCIAC play. Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets will head to Pasadena, Calif. on Saturday, January 24, for their first matchup of the season against Caltech, with tipoff set for 4 p.m.
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