Jeff McLean '09 scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but Whittier College lost 82-60 to nationally ranked #19 Occidental College in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action in Los Angeles, Calf. on January 31.  The loss drops the Poets' record to 8-10 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

McLean, last week's SCIAC Male Athlete of the Week, finished the game 8-for-11 from the field in 39 minutes of play.  He also had a game-high four steals.  Vernon Covington '08 was the only other Poet in double figures with 12 points and seven rebounds.

The Poets made only seven field goals in the first half on their way to a 14-point deficit at the break.  The Tigers shot nearly 58 percent from the field in the game and were led by Sam Betty, who scored a game-high 23 points.  Occidental held a 35-23 advantage on the glass and held the Whittier offense to 42 percent shooting.