Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – Tristan Kirk scored 16 points, Jordan Sanvictores added 13 and Andrew Mills chipped in with 11 as Redlands continued its run towards a conference championship with a 73-57 win over Whittier on Wednesday night at the Graham Athletics Center.

The Poets (10-11, 5-5 SCIAC) couldn't find the baskets they needed after they trimmed the Redlands lead to 54-47 at the 9:20 mark. The Bulldogs outscored Whittier 11-2 over the next four minutes and never looked back.

Despite the late run by Redlands, the Poets had opportunities as strong defensive play turned into offensive chances. Unfortunately for the Poets, the Redlands defense stood the test and didn't allow any easy buckets.

Whittier entered the game leading the conference in three-point field goal percentage but was held to an 0-for-8 effort in the second frame. The Poets only connected on 1-of-4 attempts in the first half.

Greg Preer scored a team-high 11 points for the Poets and added 12 rebounds to record the games only double-double.

Ricky Kamayatsu made the lone three pointer for the purple and gold.

Whittier led early in the game but it was the Bulldogs who went into the half with a 36-28 lead.

It looked like the Poets would go into the break only down six but the officials waved off Paul Davis' finger roll at the buzzer. Davis took the ball the length of the court, side stepped a defender at the foul line and found the bottom of the net. However, the three man officiating crew said the ball was in his hand when time expired.

The Poets got as close as seven points in the second half.

For the game, Redlands made half of its shots (26-of-52). Whittier shot only 36 percent and was 12-of-25 from the foul line.

Jordan Ramos scored nine points and had six of Whittier's 14 steals. Redlands was forced into 21 turnovers while Whittier had 15.

The Poets will travel to Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday night as they return to action against Caltech. Whittier held off the Beavers in their January 29th match-up, 70-68.