WHITTIER, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2025) – Behind a dominant double-double from Brooklyn Giles (Fairfield, Calif. / Early College High School / California State University, Los Angeles) and their best defensive showing of conference play, the Whittier College women's basketball team earned a 53–45 SCIAC home victory over La Verne on Saturday afternoon at Dave Jacobs Court.
Whittier set the tone on the defensive end early and delivered a decisive second quarter, limiting the Leopards to just three points over the 10-minute stretch. The Poets carried that intensity throughout the game, consistently contesting shots and controlling the glass to maintain control.
Giles led all players with 16 points and 10 rebounds, recording her fourth double-double of the season and anchoring Whittier on both ends of the floor. Her presence inside helped Whittier dictate the pace and protect the paint in key moments.
Xochitl Hood (Whittier, Calif. / Troy / Fullerton College) followed with another strong double-digit performance, finishing with 12 points while applying steady defensive pressure. Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) added eight points and four rebounds, while Delaney Castagna (Carmel, Calif. / Carmel / Arizona Christian University) provided a lift off the bench with six points and three rebounds to help maintain energy in the frontcourt.
Freshman Helen Rosales Beltran (San Diego, Calif. / Lincoln) made her first collegiate start and delivered a composed all-around effort, logging a career-high 34 minutes. Rosales Beltran posted career highs in rebounds (five), assists (three), and blocks (one) while adding four points, showcasing continued growth in an expanded role. Jadyn Patterson (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian / California State University, Stanislaus) contributed five points and three assists, and Whittier continued to defend as a unit across all four quarters.
Whittier now stands at 9–10 overall and improves to 4–7 in SCIAC play. Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets will remain home at Dave Jacobs Court on Wednesday, February 4, as they host Chapman with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.
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