ORANGE, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2023) – Caltech Women's Basketball faced the Chapman University Panthers Saturday in the second regular-season meeting between the two programs, and after 40 minutes without a substitution, sophomore Kathryn Edwards tallied a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Despite missing some key players and having a short bench, the Beavers' unwavering spirit propelled them to a 13-10 lead through the first quarter. Kodie Vondra broke the deadlock in the second minute of the game with a three-pointer, and Claire Perhach and Kathryn Edwards followed with layups to stretch their lead to 7-1. Chapman rallied for a 10-7 tie before Faith Pinney and Edwards responded with a three-pointer each to put the Beavers up by three at the intermission.
An exciting second quarter featured the most back-and-forth action of the game as neither team could gain more than a three-point lead. Chapman pulled ahead by a basket a few minutes into the period, but a well-placed jumper by Vondra tied the game at 17-17 and then Maria Vazhaeparambil put the Beavers ahead again after drawing a foul and sinking a free throw. Caltech kept replying to Chapman's threats as Edwards laid one up and in after a steal by Perhach, and then Milan Robinson's three free throws in the last minute of the half accounted for two ties and one Caltech lead.
While the hosts caught fire in the third quarter, Caltech never let up as Edwards exploded for 11 points and seven rebounds in the fourth, including four offensive boards. Rookie Eleanor Kim also lit up the scoreboard with a trio of layups and an assist, finishing the game with eight points and tying with Robinson for a team-high three assists.
In the end, every Beaver scored and rebounded, and as a team they out-performed the home team 26-20 in the paint.
"Energy and effort is a constant with this team," Head Coach Annie Tarakchian said. "We're battling many obstacles right now, but we'll continue to work them out as we gear up for La Verne on Wednesday."
The Beavers host the University of La Verne Leopards on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at Braun Gymnasium.
