WHITTIER, Calif. – Whittier College managed to pull away from the Manchester University Spartans in the 2nd half of Tuesday's women's basketball contest in Southern California.

The Spartans led for much of the 1^st half and held a 26-24 lead at the intermission. The Poets regained the lead early in the 3^rd quarter and pulled away down the stretch, securing a 59-46 victory over the Black & Gold. Whittier managed to outscore the Manchester 35-20 in the 2^nd half. The Poets also converted 17 Spartan turnovers into 20 points.

Manchester was limited to 17-49 shooting (34.7 percent) in Tuesday's contest. The Spartans were also held to 7-24 shooting (29.2 percent) from three-point territory.

Whittier shot 21-60 (35 percent) from the field on Tuesday afternoon. Manchester's defense limited the Poets to just 5-22 shooting from downtown (22.7 percent). Whittier held 43-32 advantage on the glass on Tuesday.

First-year guard Eva Bazzoni (Wabash, Ind./Manchester) led the Spartans with 17 points. Bazzoni shot 6-12 from the field against the Poets and was 5-11 from distance.

Teani White led Whittier with a double-double, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Manchester (5-4) will conclude its West Coast trip tomorrow afternoon with a game at Caltech. Tip-off against the Beavers is slated for 3 pm ET (Noon local).

Whittier (5-3) will face No. 4 Amherst next week in Las Vegas on Tuesday December 28.