Poets Move Into Fourth Place With Win Over Caltech

Five Poets scored in double figures as Whittier College cruised to an 88-31 SCIAC victory over Caltech in the Graham Athletics Center on February 2.  The win improves the Poets' record to 8-10 overall and 4-4 in conference play, and moves them into the final playoff spot with three weeks left in the regular season.

Kourtney Zilbert '11 led the Poets with 14 points in the game. She also had six rebounds, five steals and two assists.  Rosario Rios-Aguilar '08 finished with 12 points and was just one rebound away from a double-double with nine.  She was also credited with two assists and two steals.  Marie Vodicska '11 went 5-for-5 from the free throw line and finished with 12 points.  Erica Amico '10 hit three shots from beyond the arc and scored eleven points.  She also chipped in on defense with two blocks and two steals.  Essence Scott '11 also scored eleven points and grabbed seven rebounds.  Melissa Johnson '10 had a team-high ten rebounds and six points.

Caltech (4-15, 2-6) got seven points from both Jessica Roberts and Lindsay King.  King also had seven rebounds and three assists.  Lisa Yee finished with ten rebounds and six points.

The Poets dominated throughout the game.  They shot 51% from the field in the first half on their way to a 25-point halftime advantage.  They held the Beavers to just two field goals in the second half and forced 31 turnovers, resulting in 35 points.  Whittier also controlled the glass with 53 rebounds to Caltech's 28.  The Poets got 22 offensive rebounds and as a result had 24 second chance points.

The Poets take a short break from SCIAC play with a non-conference game against Southwestern College (Ariz.) on February 5.  Play starts at 4:00pm in the Graham Athletics Center.