ORANGE, Calif. — Caltech Women's Basketball competed in its first interconference road game of the season on Saturday as the Beavers took on the Chapman University Panthers in a late afternoon showdown.

Caltech won the second and fourth quarters, getting within two possessions of the hosts in the final seconds, though they could not overtake the Panthers as the final buzzer sounded.

Action tipped off just after 2 p.m. and it was Chapman who jumped out to a quick 7-0 advantage, though the Beavers answered with a good 3-pointer from senior guard Maria Vazhaeparambil (Saratoga, Calif. / The Harker School) after senior guard Kodie Vondra (Livingston, Mont. / Park) found her behind the arc.

Caltech later got within three points of the Panthers at 9-6 as first-year guard Carolyn Ruan (Cupertino, Calif. / Monta Vista) fed first-year guard Anamaria Robertson (Petaluma, Calif. / Casa Grande) who drained a triple just moments after checking into the game.

The Panthers stayed ahead at the conclusion of the opening period, though the Beavers responded by winning the second quarter, 16-13, to get within seven points at halftime. Ruan led the squad in the quarter, scoring a rapid-fire seven points in just four minutes and 38 seconds.

The Beavers cut the Chapman lead down to just five at the 8:10 mark of the third quarter after a nice layup from rookie guard Kyra Phaychanpheng (Chino Hills, Calif. / Chino Hills). Chapman answered with some points of their own, but a dominant 7-0 run from Caltech put them within just two points of the tie at 36-38. Ruan kicked off the run with a made layup before first-year guard Zeynep Goktepe (Istanbul, Turkey / The MacDuffie School) finished a layup through traffic, getting fouled in the process. The newcomer connected on the and-1 free throw before getting fouled and making both free throws on the Beavers' following possession.

Caltech entered the final quarter down just nine; the Beavers won the period, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from deep. The group outscored Chapman 18-14 in the final 9:15 of the game, but it was not enough to overtake the lead as time expired.

Ruan led the Beavers with a collegiate career-high 14 points, going 3-for-6 from 3-point range and 3-for-4 from the free throw line to go with one bucket from inside the arc. The rookie dished out three assists and had one rebound and a steal.

Senior guard/forward Kathryn Edwards (Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe) brought down a season-high 15 rebounds to lead all players on either team; the veteran scored eight points to go with three steals, a block and an assist.

Phaychanpheng had 11 points after going 1-for-2 from deep and connecting on three other field goals and two made free throws. The first-year had three rebounds and one assist.

Vondra tied the game-high for steals with four and added five points and two dimes; Goktepe led the squad in assists with four in just 21 minutes. She added seven points along with a key block and a rebound.

The Beavers shot .360 from 3-point territory and made 15 free throws to Chapman's eight; Caltech scored 12 points off opponent turnovers.

Head coach Annie Tarakchian and the group will return to Pasadena for a home meeting with Westcliff University this Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. at Braun Gymnasium. Cheer on the Beavers in person and follow along online at GoCaltech.com/coverage.

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