PASADENA, CA – The Caltech women's basketball topped Bethesda Christian 65-54 on Wednesday evening to end a 55-game losing skid.
The Beavers last posted a win on Feb. 18, 2010 when they beat Pomona-Pitzer 61-54.
"Wins don't always have to be pretty but that's the end of the losing skid and we will take it. Some good things happened tonight but we have to get back to work if we are going to be reaching our peak when start SCIAC play again in January," head coach Sandra Marbut said. "We are thrilled for the win and tomorrow it is back to teaching at practice."
Bethesda Christian scored the game's opening bucket but the Beavers quickly responded and eventually grew their first half lead to 21-9 just past the halfway point. However, the Flames cut into their deficit and finished the frame on a 15-4 scoring spurt. Caltech held a 25-24 lead at the halftime horn.
In the first half the Flames were able to stay in the game despite shooting 23.3 percent (10-of-43) from the field. Of the 34 first half rebounds the visitors had, 18 came on the offensive end which helped them hold an 8-2 edge in second chance scoring.
The Flames started the second half riding the momentum from the end of the first half as they took a 30-27 lead. It was the final lead of the game for the visitors. Caltech responded by scoring 17 of the next 18 points in taking a 43-31 lead with 12:23 remaining.
Bethesda Christian got as close as five points at 47-42 just before the midway point of the frame. Caltech wouldn't let the visitors get any closer in claiming the win.
Caltech hit 18 of their 37 (48.7 percent) second half field goal attempts in pulling away for the victory. The Beavers took advantage of three three-point play opportunities to aid in the streak busting win.
A trio of first-year players were key for the Beavers. Stephanie Wong had a team high 16 points for the Beavers. Esther Du provided a valuable spark all night by scoring 15 points, grabbing nine rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Grace Leishman recorded a 13-point night to go along with her three blocks and five rebounds.
Bethesda Christian's Lidia Rivas led all scorers with 19.
Both teams played sloppy at time as they combined for 55 turnovers.