Photo by: Justin Hyon, Caltech Yearbook

 

LA VERNE, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2022) - When the first half of the 2021–2022 women's basketball campaign came to a close prior to the Winter Recess on Dec. 22, womens basketball head coach Bridgette Reyes and her staff were unsure which way the second half of their season would begin.

 

Having started the season at 5-5, though 0-2 in SCIAC play, there was good reason for the uncertainty. Saturday's game versus the University of La Verne Leopards did nothing to provide clear direction as a shorthanded Caltech squad, limited in practice capability due to the Omicron variant spreading through Los Angeles, showed signs of brilliance interspersed with struggles in a tough loss.

 

Outscored 54 to 31 in the first half, the Beavers gave little indication that they were the same team that had made a positive impression in the latter part of 2021. But in the second half against the Leopards, Caltech responded, outscoring the hosts 40 to 28 in periods three and four combined. The final score from La Verne was 82-71 in favor of the Leopards, but the Beavers left the gym with a belief that they have the ability to compete throughout the balance of SCIAC play. 

 

One thing that remained consistent from the December games was the play of junior center Sahana Saikumar (Arcadia, Calif. / Arcadia). She was once again the woman of the game for Caltech; coming off of two consecutive SCIAC Defensive Player of the Week awards, Saikumar continued her dominance on the defensive end posting 15 rebounds, one steal and five blocks. Yet her phenomenal play was not limited to defense, as she also led all scorers with 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting. She was also a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line while dishing out two assists.

 

Saikumar is clearly one of the conference's dominant players and is also providing outstanding leadership to her Caltech teammates. Freshman Kathryn Edwards (Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe) also began the second half of the season positively, contributing 19 points and nine rebounds on the afternoon. For much of the season, Edwards has statistically been a team leader and the combination of outstanding play from her and Saikumar provides a potent one-two punch as the Beavers look to continue their positive play for the balance of the year.

 

With the loss, Caltech falls to 5-6 (0-3 SCIAC). The Beavers continue their schedule on Monday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. inside the Braun Athletic Center versus the Tigers of Occidental College. While no spectators will be allowed inside the gymnasium, livestream coverage as well as live statistics are available at gocaltech.com.