Photo by: Justin Hyon, Caltech Yearbook

PASADENA, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2021) – Caltech faced Whittier College on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the 2021 SCIAC campaign, displaying improvement in several categories and a tenacity that kept the game close despite some hot streaks by the visitors.

The Beavers won the first quarter by a 14-6 score and edged the Poets by a point in the second half, 30-29, reflecting their resilience after a Whittier surge in the second quarter gave the visitors a nine-point lead. Despite trailing by as many as 15 points early in the fourth quarter, Caltech never gave up and fought its way back to just a four-point deficit at 51-47 with 2:30 left.

Highlighting on offense was junior Sahana Saikumar (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia), who netted a season-high 18 points and blocked two shots while on defense. Freshman Kathryn Edwards (Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe) also contributed nine points in her starting role while leading the team in ball control with eight rebounds. Sophomore Hope Arnett (Torrance, Calif. / Chadwick School) snagged six rebounds and led the team in assists with four. 

Caltech improved over its SCIAC opener in multiple categories, keeping pace with Whittier 18-18 on points in the paint, outscoring the Poets 16-15 in points off turnovers and most notably outscoring Whittier's bench 15-5. Sophomore Claire Perhach (Carlsbad, Calif. / Sage Creek) had the biggest impact of the Beavers' reserves, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds. 

Head Coach Bridgette Reyes and the Beavers are off next week through finals and will return on Saturday, Dec. 18 for a nonconference home game against Knox College.