CLAREMONT, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2025) – The Whittier College women's basketball team delivered its most efficient shooting performance of the season Saturday afternoon, pushing conference-leading Claremont-Mudd-Scripps to overtime before the eventual, hard-fought 62–57 SCIAC decision.
The matchup marked the second overtime battle between the two programs this season, as the Poets once again went toe-to-toe with the conference leaders in a tightly contested game that featured multiple lead changes and strong execution on both ends.
Whittier came out sharp, holding CMS to just two points in the opening quarter while building early momentum. The Poets continued to execute offensively throughout regulation, finishing the game shooting an impressive 55 percent from the field (their most efficient performance of the season) and scoring 36 points in the paint.
Brooklyn Giles (Fairfield, Calif. / Early College High School / California State University, Los Angeles) led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds across 42 minutes of action, while tying her season high with three blocks. Shushan Krikorian (McLean, Va. / McLean / Glendale College) followed with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, providing steady offense in key stretches. Kennedy Perkins (Tehachapi, Calif. / Tehachapi) added 13 points and six rebounds, continuing her consistent scoring presence in conference play.
Delaney Castagna (Carmel, Calif. / Carmel / Arizona Christian University) delivered one of her strongest all-around performances of the season, tying her career high in rebounds with seven while setting a new career high in blocks. Jadyn Patterson (San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian / California State University, Stanislaus) logged 41 minutes and contributed on both ends, while Xochitl Hood (Whittier, Calif. / Troy / Fullerton College) added four points and four rebounds to support the effort.
Whittier showed composure throughout regulation, including a perfect 6-for-6 shooting stretch in the third quarter, and forced the game into overtime before CMS ultimately edged ahead late. The Poets' ability to compete possession-for-possession against the conference leaders underscored the growth and resilience of the group.
Whittier now stands at 10–11 overall and 5–8 in SCIAC play. Head Coach Kristen Dowling and the Poets will return to Claremont on Wednesday, February 11, traveling to face Pomona-Pitzer at 7 p.m.
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