Mike Archuletta '09 scored a game-high 23 points, but Whittier College lost 74-64 to SCIAC rival California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on February 6.  The loss drops the Poets' record to 10-9 overall and 3-5 in conference play.

Archuletta went 10-for-13 from the field in 29 minutes of action off the bench.  Jeff McLean '09 was the only other Poet with double figures in the scoring column, putting up eleven points.  The SCIAC steals leader was credited with three thefts in the game, giving him 39 on the season.  Vernon Covington '08 finished with eight points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

Cal Lutheran (16-3, 6-2) was led by Andy Meier with 17 points and eight rebounds.  Mychal Owens had 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals for the conference's second place team.

As expected, the game was tight throughout.  The Poets jumped out to an early lead, but the Kingsmen quickly tied the score six minutes into the first half.  The game was tied six times in the opening frame.  With the score tied at 19, the Poets went on a 9-0 run from 7:44 to 5:44.  Once again, Cal Lutheran countered with a run of their own, taking the lead for the first time in the game with an 13-3 run that ended at the 1:07 mark.  The teams went back and forth in the final minute of the half with the Kingsmen taking a 38-37 lead at the break.  Both teams shot well in the half; Cal Lutheran at 55.6% and Whittier at 53.8%.

The Kingsmen came out of the locker room with a 5-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half.  The Poets regained the lead with eleven minutes left on a McLean lay-up.  AJ Manalo '10 hit a three-pointer at the 8:17 mark to give Whittier a one-point lead, but it was the last time they would be ahead.  The Kingsmen gradually expanded their lead and hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the ten-point victory.

The Poets travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on February 9.  The SCIAC game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:30pm.