Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

MERCED, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team wrapped up their road trip Saturday afternoon with a 79-67 victory over UC Merced moving to 6-5 on the season, which includes a 6-3 mark against non-conference opponents.

In their second contest in the New Year, the Poets survived a scare late in the second half as UC Merced pulled within five but that's as close as they would get as Whittier would hold on for the road win.

Out of the gates, Whittier played their usual up tempo offense helping them take a 49-35 advantage into the break behind a 59% shooting effort, with 11 points coming from Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) and Chris Barnes-Williams (Salt Lake City, UT).  The second half proved to be a battle on both ends with the Bobcats pulling within seven (60-53) at the 9:30 mark and then within five minutes later after a three ball from George Idehen, but it would be the Poets stifling defense and press that forced big turnovers late that allowed them to pull off the 12 point victory.

Whittier saw four of the five starters record double digit scoring efforts led by Demusis who finished with 15 points on 5-8 shooting.  Barnes-Williams finished with 14, while David Richardson (Los Angeles, Calif.) collected 10 points on 4-7 shooting with a season high eight assists, three steals, and a block. 

Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) was the other Poet in double figures with 12 points.

For the Bobcats, Ryan Edwards, Martin Harris, and Michael Pierick each had double figures with 15, 14, and 12 points, each respectively, with Idehen collecting seven points and 11 boards off the bench. 

Whittier returns to an All-Conference schedule for the remainder of the season as they host Occidental this Wednesday, January 8 beginning at 7:30pm.