Photos by: Davis Gerber

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team earned a hard fought 86-82 come from behind victory Monday evening in a crowded Graham Athletic Center over West Coast Baptist earning their first win of the season.

Four players recorded double digits for the Purple & Gold, which included a team high 20 points from Chris Barnes-Williams (Salt Lake City, UT) off the bench who was 6-9 from the field, which included 4-6 from three point territory.

"It was a great night, where everything came together and we were able to dust the cobwebs off," explained Head Coach Rock Carter.  "We had a couple players back that really helped with the team chemistry."

West Coast Baptist held a slight one point advantage at intermission 42-41 after a seesaw battle throughout the half, which included six ties, and 13 lead changes.  Whittier had a lead as much as six at 41-35 but the Eagles would close out the half with seven unanswered points, which included a last second three pointer by Ryan Molencupp as time expired.

WCB extended their lead to five 46-41 to start the second half with a jumper and two free throws from Colton Cochran, but the Poets would respond with back to back to back three pointers from David Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.), Ben Maynard (La Canada, Calif.), and Jacob Porter (Temecula, Calif.) followed by a layin by Dylan Irwin (Redondo Beach, Calif.) that put WC back in front 52-51 at the 15:47 mark.

The Eagles wouldn't go away however and answered with their own run rattling off 11 straight that gave them their largest lead of the game by double digits 62-52 that covered just under three minutes.  Whittier then began their comeback, chipping away at the Eagle lead with a 9-2 run capped off with an and one by Barnes-Williams that brought the Poet faithful to their feet and the Poets within three 64-61.

After a layin by Cochran with 9:20 to play, the Poets then put together another mini run with five straight including back to back and ones from junior Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) that moved Whittier in front 69-66.

Ryan Molencupp then silenced the crowd on the Eagles next possession that evened the game once more at 69-69.  WCB would regain the lead 74-71 with 5:50 to play before a big three pointer from Eric Goedde (Longmont, CO) would tie the game up at 76.  Whittier would trail by as much as three over the next minute and a half before they would tie the game up at 82 with a pair of free throws from Demusis.  He would then be followed by a go ahead three pointer from Goedde that put the Poets in front 85-82 giving them a lead they would not relinquish as Demusis would knock down one final free throw under a minute to play that secured the victory for the Purple & Gold.

Demusis finished with a season high 17 points on 5-10 shooting with six boards, while Irwin tossed in 14 on 7-10 shooting.  Richardson broke double digits at the point guard position finishing with 10 points, five assists, and two steals, while Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) dished out a game high six assists.

West Coast Baptist had three players record double digits led by Molencupp and Cochran who had 33 and 26 points, each respectively.  Cochran also had nine boards, while Travis Burkett grabbed eight. 

Whittier shot 54.2% from the field on the night, while WCB shot 47.8%.  The game was deadlocked on the glass at 32, with the Poets owning the bench points 42-3.            

"We defended well tonight, but West Coast Baptist is a very strong team so the environment tonight made it fun and helped the team during some stretches and eventually to the win," Carter explained.     

Whittier returns to the floor next week on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00pm as they travel once again to Lancaster, Calif. to make up their game against West Coast Baptist, which was suspended due to condensation on the court.