Caltech Women’s Basketball Scores 81 Points, Defeats Nelson to Improve to 4-1

The Caltech women’s basketball team cruised to an 81-43 victory on Tuesday as the Beavers defeated Nelson University (Ariz.) in an evening clash at Braun Gymnasium.

With the win, the group improves to 4-1 on the year; Caltech has scored at least 66 points in all but one game this season.

It was a dominant performance from the Beavers, who controlled all four quarters and never trailed at any point. The team shot .492 from the field and .308 from beyond the arc while holding the visitors to a .250 showing from the field and a .214 performance from deep.

Four different Beavers reached double-digits in points, with senior guard-forward Kathryn Edwards (Centennial, Colo. / Arapahoe) leading the way. The standout tied her season high with a game-high 24 points on an exceptional 10-of-12 shooting, going 1-for-3 from behind the arc and draining all three of her free throws. The Beaver brought down six boards to go with two assists and a game-high four steals, accomplished all in just 31 minutes.

Action began just after 7 p.m. and it was Caltech who struck first in the opening minutes, with senior guard Kodie Vondra (Livingston, Mont. / Park) splashing a nice 3-pointer before the Beavers quickly extended their lead to 9-2.

The Warriors responded with a run of their own to tie the contest at 9-9, but a made shot at the charity stripe from Vondra the next time down the court gave Caltech the lead, which they held for the remainder of the contest.

The made free throw from Vondra kicked off a commanding run for the Beavers, which stood at 9-0 after the first quarter before extending into a 12-0 run as the second period began.

Caltech entered halftime up 17 points at 37-20 before pushing the lead to 30 after three quarters at 61-31. The Beavers ultimately won the contest by 38 with the scoreboard reading 81-43 as time expired.

Vondra finished the night with 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, draining two long balls and making three of her four free throws. The guard played a major role in moving the basketball, dishing out a career-high seven assists; she also collected seven rebounds and earned one steal.

Rookie guard Kyra Phaychanpheng (Chino Hills, Calif. / Chino Hills) put up 12 points after draining one of her two deep shots, three 2-pointers and three free throws. The first-year brought down four boards and stole the ball two times.

First-year guard Carolyn Ruan (Cupertino, Calif. / Monta Vista) went 2-for-3 from deep as part of a 4-for-7 performance from the field, finishing the night with 11 points after adding one free throw. The rookie collected three boards and recorded two dimes and a steal.

Fellow first-year guard Anamaria Robertson (Petaluma, Calif. / Casa Grande) scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting, sinking one of her two deep shots. The 5’6″ Beaver secured a collegiate career-high 10 rebounds to lead all players on either team.

Senior guard Maria Vazhaeparambil (Saratoga, Calif. / The Harker School) scored eight points, going 4-for-4 from two-point range and adding four assists and five boards along with two steals and a blocked shot.

First-year center Louise Scriven (Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand / Paraparaumu College) drilled a three and made a free throw and had five rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes.

Caltech forced the Warriors into 25 turnovers while committing just 13 themselves; the Beavers scored 30 points off turnovers while Nelson scored just four off Caltech turnovers.

The Beavers had 42 points in the paint to Nelson’s 16; they had 18 fast break points to the opponent’s two. Caltech brought down 44 rebounds to the Warriors’ 36 and assisted on 22 shots to the opponent’s 10.

Head coach Annie Tarakchian and the squad will now turn their attention towards the University of Redlands Bulldogs as the Beavers kick off SCIAC play. The two teams face off this Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at home at Braun Gymnasium. Cheer on Caltech in person and follow along online at GoCaltech.com/coverage.

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