Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. - The University of Redlands led for all but two minutes of the game as the Bulldogs handed the Whittier College men's basketball team is first loss at Dave Jacobs Court since December 22, 2009, on Wednesday evening.

The Poets (7-7, 1-3 SCIAC) faced a double digit deficit for the majority of the second half but climbed back into the game with 19-10 run late in the half. Drew Menez's layup at the 1:43 mark pulled the Poets within six points at 85-79.

Redlands (7-8, 3-1 SCIAC) answered the Whittier by connecting on 3-of-5 foul shots in the final minute of the game to clinch the win.

WC shot over 46 percent from the field but was doomed by a 1-for-15 effort from beyond the three-point line. Redlands was 10-of-22 from long range which includes a 6-of-10 effort in the second half.

The trio of Menez, Josh Deanne and DaMon Perry registered 57 of Whittier's points and were key WC's 62-34 advantage from inside the paint. Menez finished with a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds while Deanne and Perry tallied 15 points apiece.

David Hayashi scored 10 points and dished out a team-high five assists.

Like Whittier, the Bulldogs put four players in double figures led by Justin Sobczyk who had 21 points and six assists. Pat Coffey finished with 16 points and eight assists.

Defensively the purple and gold forced 23 Bulldog turnovers and came away with 15 steals. Jonathan Saucedo had a game-high seven takeaways.

The Poets return to action Saturday, January 23, as they travel to Claremont, Calif., to face The Claremont Colleges at 7:30 pm.