SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—Kimberly Dewey scored a career-high 17 points but Whitworth lost 54-48 to Caltech in a non-conference women's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at UC Santa Cruz. 

Offense was slow in the first quarter for both teams, but a basket by Dewey gave Whitworth a 14-9 edge over the Beavers to end the period.

Caltech went on to outscore the Pirates 16-5 in the second quarter, to take a 25-19 lead at the half. Dewey scored all five points for Whitworth. 

Kodie Vondra scored to extend Caltech's lead 27-19 with 6:39 remaining in the third quarter. Olivia Mayer's basket capped an 8-0 run for the Pirates and tied the game 27-27 with 4:57 remaining. The teams traded baskets to finish the quarter tied 36-36.

Sahana Saikumar knocked down a trey with 8:39 remaining to cap an 8-0 run for Caltech to start the fourth quarter. Trailing 44-36, the Pirates were not able to recover down the stretch.

Dewey added 8 rebounds to go along with 17 points. Quincy McDeid finished with 12 points. 

Saikumar led the Beavers with 20 points and Kathryn Edwards added 16.

The Pirates shot 31.6% (18-57) from the floor, were 3-22 (13.6%) from the three-point line and made 9-11 (81.8%) free throws. Caltech finished the game shooting 36.5% (19-52) from the floor, were 3-14 (21.4%) from behind the arc, and made 13-20 (65.0%) from the free throw line. 

Whitworth will play next against UC Santa Cruz on Sunday at 2:00 PM.