MALIBU, Calif. – The Caltech women's basketball team tipped off the 2023-24 season on the road against the Pepperdine Waves of NCAA Division I and the West Coast Conference.
 
The hosts did not hold back as they worked to improve their early-game play, while the Beavers rose to the occasion and put forth a tremendous effort unfazed by their opponents.
 
"It was a great experience for our team to go up against a Division I program, especially against one of such size," said Head Coach Annie Tarakchian. "We've got a gritty group and as with any preseason game, this highlighted areas we need to continue to work on and areas we've made good strides in thus far."
 
Junior Kathryn Edwards picked up a game-high 19 points in the contest, outscoring the Waves' two top scorers who put up 10 points each. Edwards additionally collected a team-high five rebounds and contributed an assist, a steal and a block.
 
Edwards put the Beavers on the scoreboard with the team's first basket of the contest, followed shortly by senior Hope Arnett whose jump shot in the paint cut Pepperdine's lead to just one point in the fourth minute of play.
 
Senior Claire Perhach splashed a three-pointer with just over three minutes to go in the opening frame, assisted by classmate Milan Robinson. Robinson and Perhach then alternated baskets before the end of the quarter to bring Caltech's point total to 11.
 
Perhach was the Beavers' No. 2 scorer on the night, dropping in nine points along with three boards including a team-high two offensive rebounds, also contributing two assists and a steal. Arnett picked up seven points in her game-high 35 minutes on the floor, also posting team highs of three assists and three steals.
 
Caltech was the better team after turnovers, capitalizing on takeaways and giveaways for 15 points compared to Pepperdine's nine.
 
Tarakchian and the Beavers will return home to Braun Gymnasium on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. to face Bethesda University of California. Find live stats and video at https://gocaltech.com/coverage.