WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Whitman College women's basketball team tipped off the 2023-24 season in style, cruising past Sul Ross State 62-49 on Day 2 of the Kim Evanger Raney Memorial Classic on Sunday afternoon at the Sherwood Center.
Veterans Korin Baker and Carly Martin led the charge for the Blues (1-0) who used a 12-0 run midway through the opening quarter to set the tone for the win. Baker delivered a game-high 17 points and Martin added 13 more. Natalie Lundberg, despite being undersized in the paint, grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, sharing that honor with Sul Ross's Victoria Aguayo.
Marley Rokas and Morgan Peralez led the Lobos (0-2) with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Christiane Carlisle kicked off Whitman's first quarter run with a three pointer. Martin then added a layup and a three pointer before Baker capped the run with her bucket in the paint.
The second quarter saw Lindsey Drango push the lead to double digits after she scored at the hoop then drained a three pointer. Kaella Peters then got in on the action with a three pointer before back-to-back Baker buckets extended the Blues lead to 30-11 with 5:12 remaining until halftime. Whitman's defense was on full display, scoring 12 points in the quarter off Sul Ross turnovers and taking a 17-point lead into the locker room.
Following the break, Martin's jumper pushed the lead to 19 points and matched the largest lead of the game. Whitman would never let the lead slip below 13 points as they cruised to the season-opening win.
The Blues return to action on Sunday for the final day of the KER and face UC Santa Cruz who earlier topped Whitworth its tournament opener. Tipoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.
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