Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
VALLEJO, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team wrapped up their two game road trip Friday night as they survived in overtime 92-87 over the Keelhaulers of Cal State Maritime to improve to 5-2 on the season.
In their first OT game of the year, the Poets managed to outscore CSUM 10-5 in the extra session to come away with one of their biggest wins of the season thus far.
Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) led all scorers with a game high 22 points in 38 minutes to go with five boards. Andrew Torres (Whittier, Calif.) had 18 for the game along with five rebounds, while Jacob Contreras (Pleasanton, Calif.) continues toremain hot from the field chipping in with 15 going 3-of-7 from deep.
Whittier shot 53% from the field and shot 41% from three point territory, which is above the average but lost the rebounding battle 35-28, assists 11-9, 2nd Chance Points 18-10, and Points off Turnovers 16-11.
Contreras added five of the first seven points for the Purple & Gold but an ensuing 9-1 run by CSUM, which included three triples would put them in front 15-12. Contreras would again respond with two of his own to tie things up at 20-20 and the Poets wouldn't look back the rest of the half as they would get out in front by 10 en route to leading 47-39 at the break.
In the second, a 7-0 run would pull the Keelhaulers within four 52-48 and Roman Delgado would put them in front by one 59-58 with 11:50 to play following a three. Back to back tres from Ben Maynard (Pasadena, Calif.) and Louis Kurihara (Mission Viejo, Calif.) would put the Poets back in front 66-61 and despite leading 82-79 following a pair of free throws from Torres, Whittier's lead wouldn't hold up as CSUM's Levi Stranberg would sink a last second three pointer that forced the game into OT.
Clayton White opened up the scoring in the extra period with a three ball for CSUM but five straight free throws by Demusis and Andrew Bucholtz (Lone Tree, CO) would put the Poets back on top 87-85. Torres would follow with a big basket to move the score to 89-85 and WC wouldn't look back as Contreras and Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) would sink free throws in the final minute that sealed the road victory.
For Cal State Maritime, Kameron Hoyt had 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, while Dominique Barnes had a double double with 20 points and 13 boards. Harley Ruder came off the bench for the Keelhaulers and had 20 as well on 8-of-10 shooting.
Whittier has a week break for the Holidays but will return this weekend to begin preparing for the Purple & Gold Poet Classic set to take place next Monday and Tuesday, December 29-30 in the Graham Athletic Center, with a field which will include University of Redlands, Albion College, and UC Santa Cruz.
