WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

In what was a back and forth battle, the Caltech Women's Basketball team managed to stay afloat and take down the Golden Eagles of La Sierra by 13 points in their second and final meeting of this season. La Sierra grabbed the first basket of the game, and looked to be off to a great start as Tech failed to score in their first five possessions. Once Tech found its groove they took command, if even by a small margin. Most of the first half the score jumped to an 8 point advantage for Tech and then dove to the tie, and back up to a 6 point, only to close to 3 again. Without Senior Lisa Yee, sidelined with fouls, the Beavers played a sporadic brand of basketball, missing shots, and then getting defensive stops, and finishing with the big play and heading to the locker room with only a three point lead for half time.

The second half, the ladies took the hardwood wanting to prove they could pull away, but La Sierra had other plans. The Eagles registered the first six points, and started what looked to be a run. Then Caltech lost Krissy Dahl for a spell as she picked up her fourth foul early and the picture looked dim for the Beavers. La Sierra managed to get up by as much as 6 points before a drought arrived. La Sierra was stuck at 38 points for a full five minutes and that was the opening Caltech needed. In the last 11 minutes of the game, Tech held the Eagles to only 4 points while they went on a 23 point surge.

Krissy Dahl led the way with 14 points, converting on 6 of her 11 shots. Three other Beavers posted double digit stat lines. Teri Juarez found her second double double night of the season, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Juarez was also a major defensive force, grabbing 4 steals and holding the Eagles leading scoreer to just two points. Frosh Sarah Wright was able to connect for 11 points of her own, while teammate Erin Hoops chipped in 10, including a perfect night from the free throw line, going 4 for 4. Lisa Yee was one point short of her own double double, scoring 9 from the floor and going high for a game high 14 rebounds off the glass. Yee is averaging 14 rebounds in her first five games of the season.

With the final buzzer Tech finds itself in an unfamiliar position...with a win and a 3-2 record on the season so far. With the tough SCIAC schedule to come in January, these early wins help Tech build the confidence they will need to reach their goal of finding their way out of the SCIAC basement. Three wins is pointing Tech in the right direction, but with work to do, the Beavers are trying to make the most of every moment on the floor. Only ten players puts Tech in the position where their best work of the week often comes at game time. Yet the young team is making its mark, and hoping to keep the momentum going through the non-conference schedule.

Caltech takes on Johnson and Wales University of Denver on Saturday with a 5pm start in Braun Athletic Center, before taking a break for finals. The team then finishes the pre-winter break schedule at HOPE International on the 14th and the Caltech CMS Holiday Classic on the 19th and 20th before heading home for their break.

GO TECH!!!

BOXSCORE