Photo: Shu Fay Ung

ORANGE, Calif. (Dec. 18, 2019) – A dynamic team showing propelled the Caltech women's basketball team to a season-sweep of Bethesda University on Tuesday evening. The host Beavers handled the Flames, 65-44, after taking care of business in similar fashion at last month's Thanksgiving Classic.

Senior guard Grace Peng (San Ramon, Calif. / California) added to her historic scoring pace with a 27-point performance that saw her knock down four three-pointers and convert on all five of her free throw attempts. Collectively, Caltech shot 81 percent from the line compared to Bethesda's 59 percent. Peng also contributed seven rebounds, two assists and two steals and 16 attempted three-point field goals are among the most single-game attempts in program history.

Two Beavers came up strong with double-doubles. Freshman forward Sahana Saikumar (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia) dominated the boards with 16 rebounds to go with her 21 points, 50-percent shooting and team-best four assists, while senior forward Alexa Lauinger (Ortonville, Mich. / Brandon) picked up 10 points and 11 rebounds. Lauinger also factored in defensively with a team-high three steals in addition to several more heads-up plays without the ball in her hands.

The Beavers never found themselves in any immediate danger thanks to an opening quarter where they held the Flames to just two field goals from one player. The home team played to its strengths and committed just four personal fouls over the game's first 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the Saikumar-led Beavers dominated the glass, outrebounding the visiting team 58-36 while delivering 24 points in the paint. Caltech also finished the game with a seven-point edge in the free throw department, receiving contributions from all. Freshman forward Charley Lafayette (Toronto, Ontario, Can. / Branksome Hall) scored all three of her points at the line, and freshman guard Helen Siavelis (Arlington Heights, Ill. / Prospect) chipped in with three assists and five rebounds. Graduate student Garima Aggarwal (Delhi, India / Arwachin International School) also scored her first points of the season on an open jumper in the second quarter.

Head Coach Bridgette Reyes and the Beavers will will return to action after Christmas with a 2 p.m. tilt against North Central College on Sunday, Dec. 29.

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