WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Lightning absolutely can strike twice, and for the Caltech Women's Basketball team a pair of wins to kick off the 2009-2010 season is the strike they were looking for.  On the road in Phoenix, the Beavers met up with the Eagles of Southwestern College, an NAIA Division II school, and long time opponent on Caltech's schedule.  Trading wins back and forth, Tech went with one goal, drive home with a win. 

As the tip off went up, the battle of the desert began.  With the first basket of the game, Tech got on top early.  Trading baskets through the half, Tech made attempts to open the narrow gap, trying to capitalize on the Eagles troubles converting shots to baskets.  Southwestern shot a low 15% from the floor to Tech's 32% in the first period, but Beaver turnovers kept the game close.  Only four points marked the half time margin.

Southwestern strategy revolved around exploiting Tech‘s lack of depth.  Only nine players made the trip as the flu kept one Beaver on campus, and point guard Lisha Li watched from the bench nursing an injury.  Leaving only 8 dressed for the Beavers, SWC subbed five at a time hoping fresh legs might change the game.  Tech dug deep and held off both units deep into the contest.

At one point the Beavers held as much as a 15 point lead, but youth and lack of familiarity with holding the upper hand forced Caltech into a closer game than they had bargained for.  With just under two minutes on the clock, their lead had been cut to eight before a series of turnovers, fouls and Southwestern free throws brought the gap to five points with less than one possession on the clock.

Southwestern found the possession arrow in their favor, and needing the big basket, came up with a three pointer as the clock had only 8 clicks left.  A time out and strategy review sent Tech back to the floor to face the press, and the Southwestern surge.  A tipped ball almost changed the final score, but as fate intervened, Tech got the ball back for the final inbound play and only 3 second on the clock.  Safely putting the ball in play, the team closed ranks and watched the time expire giving them their second straight win and a 2-0 start on the year. 

Although a poor shooting second half contributed to Tech's struggles (32% first half and 25% second half for 28% on the evening) they more than made up for it in rebounds.  The team turned in a 52 rebound night and had the upper hand by 21 boards over the Eagles efforts.  Three Techers registered double digits on the box score.  Teri Juarez contributed 10 points while teammates Lisa Yee and Krissy Dahl both turned in double double performances.  Dahl led all scorers with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Yee added 15 points and 17 rebounds.  Dahl also created a force in the paint with three blocked shots. 

The Beavers will have the chance to prove they can do it again as Southwestern visits Braun Athletic Center January 4th, in what will surely prove to be an exciting game this winter. 

Only once before in the program's history has a team been able to win back to back games, done back in the 2007-2008.  Now the Beavers look to set a new milestone and grab the hat trick as they host Pacific Union College for their home opener on Monday night with tip off at 7pm.

GO TECH!!!