PASADENA, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2021) – An excruciating 628 days after its last game at the Braun Athletic Center, the Caltech women's basketball team triumphantly returned to the hardwood and put on a show against the Bethesda University of California Flames.

 

After some early struggles as the visitors enjoyed a hot-shooting first quarter, the Beavers turned up the heat in the second and never had to look back. A pair of three-point baskets by freshman Katherine Marquis (Tewksbury, Mass. / Phillips Academy Andover) sparked the rally and then Caltech retook the lead for good. Marquis splashed another jumper in the third to finish with eight points in her debut after spending the Fall season with women's soccer.

 

Caltech put on a clinic on both sides of the court, forcing Bethesda to work from long range and settle for low-percentage shots; the visitors only netted four points in the paint in contrast to the Beavers' 32. The sticky defense resulted in 28 Bethesda turnovers, which Caltech turned into 29 points of its own, as well as 12 fast break points to none by the guests. 

 

Freshman forward Asmat Taunque (Chandigarh, India / The Lawrenceville School) shined on offense, dropping 12 points in just 15 minutes on the floor and picking up eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. Starting freshman Kathryn Edwards (Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe) also tallied 12 points, shooting 6-for-7 from the field along with three rebounds, four assists and a couple steals.

 

Sophomore Milan Robinson (Anaheim, Calif. / Fairmont Prep) grabbed a game-high nine rebounds with three assists, two steals and eight points including a three-pointer in the third quarter, and junior Sahana Saikumar (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia) led the game in blocks with two along with her eight-point contribution and notched three steals while providing an imposing presence in the block. Overall, Caltech simply outshot the opposition in every category, with an impressive 54.1 percent field goal percentage being a key to the Beavers' first victory. 

 

Head Coach Bridgette Reyes and the Beavers will hit the road for their next game, which will be an exhibition matchup on Saturday evening at Hope International University.