Freshman Grace Peng (San Ramon, Calif. / California) became Caltech women’s basketball’s first 20-point scorer of the season at the University of Antelope Valley. Entering Wednesday’s non-conference contest, Peng had not scored more than eight points in any of the Beavers’ previous four games this year. Nevertheless, Caltech’s starting poing guard anchored the offense with […]
Freshman Grace Peng (San Ramon, Calif. / California) became Caltech women’s basketball’s first 20-point scorer of the season at the University of Antelope Valley.
Entering Wednesday’s non-conference contest, Peng had not scored more than eight points in any of the Beavers’ previous four games this year. Nevertheless, Caltech’s starting poing guard anchored the offense with 25 of the team’s 60 points in the loss to the Pioneers, 12 of which came in the third quarter.
Peng keyed her breakout performance with an outstanding shooting percentage. She went 9-for-14 from the field and was especially efficient from beyond the perimeter, converting on five of seven attempts from three-point land. One of four Beavers to play over 30 minutes, Peng also contributed four rebounds and two assists and went 2-for-2 from the free throw line to account for both of her side’s points from free throws.
Peng was not among Caltech standouts, however. Both senior Kate Lewis (San Antonio, Texas / Ronald Reagan) and freshman Samantha D’Costa (San Jose, Calif. / St. Francis) came up with double-doubles in defeat and each had 10 rebounds to tie for the team lead with sophomore Madeline Schemel (Westport, Conn. / Staples). D’Costa scored 15 points to go with four assists while Lewis managed 12 points and three assists.
Caltech had its most success in the first quarter. Peng got the Beavers on the right track by opening the game with a three-pointer, which D’Costa followed up on with a three-pointer of her own. Leading 12-10 with two minutes to go in the opening frame, Caltech surrendered a 12-3 run to end the quarter. Antelope Valley’s hot shooting bled into the next quarter as well, which ended with the Pioneers leading the Beavers 44-28. Though Caltech remained competitive by yielding its first 20-point scorer of the season to go with two other players readching double figures, Antelope Valley’s lead proved insurmountable from that moment on.
Head Coach Sandra Marbut and the Beavers will begin SCIAC play on Saturday when they take on Whittier College at 5 p.m.
