Marcus Gibson '09 led the Poets with 17 points as they defeated visiting Willamette University in the Graham Athletics Center on December 1.  Eleven Poets finished with a field goal as they improve their record to 3-1 this season.

Gibson hit three shots from long range and was perfect from the free throw line.  Vernon Covington '08 was the only other Poet in double figures with twelve points.  He also grabbed four rebounds and came up with two blocks, one in the late stages of the game that sealed the win for Whittier.  Mike Archuletta '09 saw 25 minutes of action off the bench and scored eight points and pulled down eight boards.  Urriahn Barragan '09 hit two three-pointers and finished with eight points. 

The Bearcats were led by Kyler McClary who scored a game-high 24 points and had nine rebounds.  Cameron Mitchell posted a double-double with eleven points and 13 rebounds.  Corey Costantino finished with 16 points and eight rebounds and Ricky Thompson scored 13 points.

The Poets were down 4-2 to start the game, but went on an 11-1 run and never looked back.  Their largest lead of the game was 13 points in the opening stages of the second half.  Whittier led 41-32 at the half.  They shot nearly 52% in the game while Willamette shot just 43%.  The Poets also protected the ball, turning the ball over just ten times. 

The Poets are on the road for their next game, a match-up with NAIA Biola University on December 4.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.