Merlino leads Whittier past Leopards, 77-65

Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. - Junior Tina Merlino had a career night as she led the Whittier College women's basketball team to a 77-65 win over the University of La Verne with a 19-point, 19-rebound, effort on Saturday evening at the Graham Athletics Center.

The Poets (10-5, 3-1 SCIAC) found themselves in a must win situation following their setback to Pomona-Pitzer on Thursday night and the purple and gold responded.

Whittier controlled the glass and the paint as it outscored La Verne (8-7, 1-3 SCIAC) 36-20 from inside and had a 15-rebound advantage over the Leopards. The Poets grabbed 50 boards, which includes 26 on the offensive end of the court, to ULV's 35.

Merlino led the way for Whittier on 8-of-15 shooting. Fellow junior Kourtney Zilbert added her own double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Merlino and Zilbert combined for 19 offensive rebounds.

As a team the Poets only shot 35 percent from the floor but finished 21-of-27 from the charity stripe to help clinch the game down the stretch.

Morgan Sabala added 14 points while Keimi Lew chipped in with eight points and a game-high five assists.

The Poets return to action on Thursday, January 21, as they host Redlands at 7:30 pm.