Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team let it rain from three point territory Monday night shooting 36.7% making 11 three pointers in a 72-68 victory over St. Katherine College in the Graham Athletic Center.

With the win the Poets improve to 3-1, while St. Katherines drops to 1-6.

Four players had double digits on the evening for the Purple & Gold led by Andrew Bucholtz (Lone Tree, CO) who tossed in 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go with five boards, two assists, and four blocks.  He was joined by Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Jacob Contreras (Pleasanton, Calif.) had 11 points off the bench going 3-of-8 from deep.

Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) sparked the Poets early with back to back three pointers to put WC in front 15-11.  Contreras then responded with his own tre that increased the lead to 20-13 before a 9-0 run by the Firebirds would put SKC in front 22-20.

It was game of runs soon after with Whittier putting together an 11-0 run followed by a St. Katherine spurt that moved the score to 32-31 in favor of SKC but Jennings and Andrew Torres (Whittier, Calif.) would put the Poets back on top 36-33 at the break following a three pointer and a jumper.

In the second Jebari Robinson came alive for the Firebirds putting up seven of his 13 points that kept the game close until the 13:41 mark when the Poets would go in front for good with a 12-0 run, which included three tres from Contreras, and Ben Maynard (Pasadena, Calif.)that moved the lead to double digits.

St. Katherines would push however in the final two minutes to pull within one 67-66 but that's as close as they would get as five free throws from WC would seal the victory. 

Lesean Galbreath for SKC led all scorers with 19 points, while Alex Perez chipped in with 12 points off the bench. 

Despite turning the ball over 20 times, losing the rebounding battle 47-45, and being outscored in the paint 30-12, Whittier managed to add 15 points off 16 turnovers, while shooting 44% from the field.

Whittier remains at home this week as they host La Sierra this Thursday, December 4 beginning at 7:30pm.