Box Score Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com
WHITTIER, Calif. - The Whittier College men's basketball team remains hot as they continue to shoot lights out from the field as they shot 52%, which included an impressive 57% from three point territory as they rolled to the 99-87 victory over La Sierra Thursday night in the Graham Athletic Center.
With the win the Poets improve to 4-1 on the young season, which includes a perfect 3-0 at home, while La Sierra remains winless on the season at 0-6.
Head Coach Rock Carter met up with the Whittier College Sports Network following the victory and this is what he had to say:
Whittier put together yet another strong shooting performance en route to leading by 33 at one point midway through the second half. Everything just clicked for the Purple & Gold on the evening winning almost every statistical category including (Rebounds; 52-36) (Assists; 16-11), (2nd Chance Points; 15-14), and (Points in the Paint; 20-16).
The Poets were led by Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) who led all scorers with a season high 24 points, which included 17 in the first half on 9-of-12 shooting to go with seven boards, while Andrew Torres (Whittier, Calif.) chipped in with 18 off the bench in 20 minutes of action.
Back to back to back three pointers from Jacob Contreras (Pleasanton, Calif.), Demusis, and Ben Maynard (Pasadena, Calif.) would put the Poets in front 11-4 in the first four minutes and they wouldn't look back as they would lead 55-34 at the break thanks to a combined seven three pointers from Maynard, Demusis, and Contreras.
In the second, the Golden Eagles would put together a run late to cut the deficit to 13 and then 11 with under two minutes to play but seven free throws down the stretch by Whittier would seal the victory.
Contreras would finish with a career high 15 points going 3-of-7 from deep, while Maynard tossed in 17 points to go with eight boards throwing down a career high five three pointers.
For La Sierra, despite shooting 42% from the field just couldn't find the stops when they needed to but saw three players record doubled digit scoring efforts led by Isaiah Hawkins who had 20 points off the bench. Ian Mozeleski had 19 points on 7-of-19 shooting to go with six boards, three assists, and three steals, while Isaac Deese had 14 points in just 13 minutes of action.
Whittier returns to the road as they travel up north to take on Pacific Union (December 17 @ 7:30pm) and Cal State Maritime (December 19 @ 7:30pm) before returning home on December 29-30 to take part in the Purple & Gold Poet Classic.
