Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

Video by: The Whittier College Sports Network

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team saw their five game home winning streak come to a close Saturday evening as they fell 83-74 to the Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer dropping to 7-6, 1-3 SCIAC.

Pomona-Pitzer has now won their fourth straight game and are now 9-5, 5-1 SCIAC.

Following an explosive 95-63 victory over Occidental this past week, Whittier saw their offensive output stall Saturday shooting just 39% from the field, which included a 37% mark from deep.

Four Poets recorded double figures led by Chris Barnes-Williams (Salt Lake City, UT) who finished with a team high 21 points to go with seven boards.  He was joined by Tyree Landrum (Los Angeles, Calif.) who tossed in 17, while Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) and Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) chipped in with 11 and 10 points, each respectively.

At the end of an evenly matched first half, Pomona-Pitzer was able to go ahead 37-31 after closing out the frame on a 9-2 run.  Out of the half, the Sagehens opened with back to back three pointers on their first two possessions to get some separation 43-31.  Whittier brought the lead down to single digits soon after a three ball from Barnes-Williams, but PP then responded with a layin and three pointer to push the lead back to 52-38. 

The Poets put together a small run late in the half to pull within ten thanks to a corner three ball from Ben Maynard (Huntington Beach, Calif.) but a basket and big block from Gibson Farone-Collins for Pomona-Pitzer swung the momentum back in favor of the Sagehens.  WC did pull within single digits one final time 77-70 following a layin by David Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.) and a three pointer from Barnes-Williams but it was a little too late as the Sagehens would knock down six free throws under a minute to play to secure the victory.

Whittier was outrebounded on the night 49-27 with 32 points coming in the paint for Pomona-Pitzer and 15 being put backs.  Kyle McAndrews led all scorers with 28 on 9-13 shooting, while Michael Cohen and Farone-Collins chipped in with 17 and 10 points each respectively.

The Purple & Gold hit the road for two contests this week taking on Caltech on Wednesday, January 15 beginning at 7:30pm before playing La Verne, Saturday, January 18 at 5:00pm.