WHITTIER, Calif. – Whittier got defensive in the first half and rode that momentum to a 57-32 win over Caltech on Saturday evening in a SCIAC women's basketball match-up.

During the first half the Poets defense held Caltech to one field goal while forcing the visitors into 18 turnovers in building a sizable lead at intermission. Whittier scored 20 of their 37 first half points off of Caltech miscues.

While Caltech's first half deficit couldn't be overcome, the Beavers played much better in the second half as they knocked down 12 of their 29 (41.4 percent) shots from the field while turning the ball over just six times.

After being held scoreless in the first period, Rachel Hess went onto score a game high 11 points. The trio of Teri Juarez, Bridget Conner and Marlyn Moore each chipped in seven points to round out the scorers for the Beavers.

Conner tallied a personal conference best nine rebounds while Juarez continued to crash the board with a vengeance by corralling eight.

Caltech will travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Thursday evening for a 7:30 p.m. contest with the Athenas.