Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team took to Dave Jacobs Court Monday evening seeking their second straight victory and earned a 96-74 win over the Tigers of Occidental College keeping a firm grasp on the fourth spot in the SCIAC standings.

Whittier now improves to 12-11, 7-4 SCIAC while Occidental drops to 7-16, 2-12 SCIAC.

The Poets now sweep the season series with the Tigers after cruising to the 103-76 victory back on January 19.

The first half saw a seesaw battle between the Poets and Tigers.  Whittier jumped out in front 5-2 early and maintained a lead throughout the first half but were only able to get a lead as much as six as Oxy would continue battling thanks to a ten point first half from Kris Montoya.  The Tigers would cut the lead to two at 32-30 at the 6:10 mark until Willie Mebane sparked the Poet offensive attack kissing a bucket off the glass before the Purple & Gold would tally six unanswered over a three minute span to extend their lead to 38-32. 

Oxy would knot the game up at 36 apiece with a minute to play before the Poets would add four straight but again the Tigers would add a three pointer with time running down from Montoya to pull within one at 40-39 going into intermission. 

Whittier opened up the second half on an 8-3 run thanks to six unanswered from Chris Barnes-Williams who totaled twenty seven points on the night.  But Whittier wasn't done there as they would extend their lead to nine after back to back tres from Mebane and Aaron Fernandez and a layin by Tyree Landrum.

The Poets would then add to their lead going up as much as thirteen at the 10:39 mark after a 16-2 run sparked by Mebane who chipped in with nine and despite a late run by the Tigers the 30 fast break points and the 55% shooting from the field for Whittier proved to be costly down the stretch for Oxy as they fell 96-74.    

Whittier saw four players' record double figures led by Barnes-Williams who finished with 27 points and four steals, while Landrum and Mebane chipped in with 20 and 17 points apiece.  Off the bench Fernandez had 16 going 3-5 from three point territory.  Landrum also posted his second straight double double hauling in 10 boards. 

Occidental was led by Ryan Chong and Montoya who each finished with 19 points apiece, while David Yetenikyan had 13 points off the bench. 

The Poets return to the court seeking their third straight victory as they welcome in the Beavers of Caltech this Saturday, February 16 for the annual PAC the GAC night.  Tip-off is set to occur at 7:00pm.