Box Score Photo by: Justin Hyon, Caltech Yearbook
PASADENA, Calif. (Jan. 29. 2022) - Matching the energy and pace that the visiting University of La Verne Leopards demonstrated from the moment they got off the bus, the Beavers were up to the challenge on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Leopards 80-70 in a frenetically paced game inside the Braun Athletic Center. With the win, the Beavers improved to 8-10 (3-7 SCIAC) and were once again led offensively by their season leaders in senior Sahana Saikumar (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia) with 29 points and rookie Kathryn Edwards (Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe) who added 22 points.
The Beavers found themselves down 10-2 when the Leopards drained a three-pointer barely 2:30 into the contest. Yet thanks to two baskets and a made free throw by Edwards, the Beavers pulled back within a possession on two occasions beginning at 10-7. With 3:03 left in the opening quarter, the Beavers had pulled back within a basket at 16-14 and with nine seconds to go in the first, Saikumar grabbed a defensive rebound, raced up the floor and drained a jumper while getting fouled with just a second left. She converted the free throw, helping the home get within four to trail the Leopards 25-21 heading into the second quarter.
"We allowed them to shoot and make a lot of threes in the first quarter, which is exactly what they were looking to do" Head Coach Bridgette Reyes said. "We defended the three-point line much better the rest of the way, as we limited their success from outside. We also got better at controlling the tempo and took smarter shots."
Possessing the ball to start the second quarter, Edwards got free to nail a three-pointer to get the Beavers within 25-24. When rookie
Maria Vazhaeparambil (Saratoga, Calif. / The Harker School) scored on a short jumper, the Beavers had their first lead of the contest at 26-25, less than two minutes into the second period. For much of the quarter, and game, the two squads went up and down the Braun Gym hardwood, rarely hesitating to take open looks as both open and contested shots were launched at the baskets. When Edwards made a driving layup with just under three minutes to go to halftime, the Beavers had their largest lead of the first half at 40-32. However, the Leopards would not go quietly, turning up the defensive efficiency. As the teams headed to the locker rooms, the Beavers led 46-42.
The third quarter saw the two teams play a back and forth affair, with the scoring margin remarkably never expanding past two possessions. The period ended nearly identically to the way it started as the Beavers went into the the fourth and final quarter ahead by one posession, leading 57-54. The teams stayed close as they battled for much of the fourth, with the lead hovering around five for the Beavers. With just over 30 seconds to play, Saikumar nailed two more free throws, going a perfect 7-7 on the afternoon, as the Beavers finally stretched their lead to a decisive 78-68. Both teams netted just two more points each, as the final scoreboard read Caltech on top 80-70.
"We play well when we take the ball aggressively to the basket and get to the foul line," Reyes added. "Late in the game, we made some big shots. We definitely got contributions from the entire squad and when our team plays well together and stays connected, good things happen."
The Beavers will ride their two-game win streak into their next contest. That won't take place for a week as the Beavers are on the road to take on the Occidental College Tigers next Saturday, Feb. 5 at 4 pm in Eagle Rock. For all live statistics and to livestream the contest, visit GoCaltech.com.
