LA VERNE, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2016) – Freshman Nika Haleftiras(San Diego, Calif. / Our Lady of Peace) tied her career high of 13 points and filled out her line with six rebounds and three assists as the Caltech women’s basketball team fell at the University of La Verne, 64-47, on Saturday afternoon.

The Leopards put up a quick nine points on their first four shots over the opening three minutes to lead by five and nearly doubled that margin by the end of the first quarter at 19-10.  The Beavers hit just one shot over the first six minutes of the second quarter to fall into a 17-point hole that became 20 at halftime and a game-high 33 one minute into the fourth quarter, but Caltech finally clicked over the final nine minutes, outscoring the hosts 21-5 to end the game.  Haleftiras and senior Stephanie Wong (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. / Palos Verdes Peninsula) combined to score 19 of their 30 points in the fourth quarter alone, when the Beavers outshot the Leopards 50-27 percent and forced eight turnovers while committing just two.

Wong led Caltech with 17 points while freshman Madeline Schemel (Westport, Conn. / Staples)chipped in nine and added seven rebounds, three steals and three assists against just one turnover off the bench.  Freshman Madelyn Stroder (Springfield, Mo. / Greenwood Laboratory)also dished out one assist without committing a single turnover and pulled down one board in 15 minutes as a substitute.

Head Coach Sandra Marbut and the Beavers hit the midway point of conference play Tuesday, Jan. 26 when they host Whittier College (4-12, 1-6) at 7:30 p.m.