Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team wanted to act as spoilers on Occidental College's senior night Saturday but after a last second jumper from Oxy in regulation that sent the game into OT, the Poets were unable to get a foothold as they fell in triple overtime 88-83 dropping their sixth straight game. 

Whittier held a 33-30 advantage at the break sparked by an early 7-0 run thanks to a jumper from Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.), a three pointer from Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI), and a layin by Tyree Landrum (Los Angeles, Calif.).  Oxy would tie the game up at 21 after a Jay Miller jumper but another 7-0 run would put the Poets back in front 28-21 a lead they would not relinquish until the 9:17 mark in the second half when Oxy's Miller would lay one in to put the Tigers in front 52-51.

From this point the game went back and forth with neither team being able to take a substantial lead.  Oxy would lead 66-63 after four consecutive free throws from Juwan Rice with 3:14 to play.  But immediately following the Poets would put together a 5-0 run capped off with an emphatic dunk from Landrum that put the Purple & Gold up by two 68-66.

With 36 seconds to play, Kris Montoya missed a three pointer which was hauled in by Miller.  After a quick timeout, Oxy would come out and with two seconds to play would see Miller drive the lane and put up a floater that tied the game up forcing the game into overtime. 

Over the next five minutes Oxy would take a three point lead 75-72 but once again Whittier would respond with a layup and free throw coming from Chris Barnes-Williams (Salt Lake City, UT) that forced the game into a second overtime. 

In the second, Oxy stormed out in front 79-75 with four free throws and held an 81-79 advantage with nine seconds to play but Barnes-Williams once again came up clutch sinking two free throws to send the game into a third overtime.  With the game tied up at 83 with 2:01 left after another two handed jam from Landrum, Oxy's Chad Tanioka would sink the go ahead three pointer, which was followed by two free throws from Ty Cobb that clinched the come from behind victory for the Black and Orange. 

Whittier shot 39% from the field, while Oxy shot 42%.  Whittier held a slight 49-48 advantage on the glass, while Oxy held the margin in the paint 40-32.

Barnes-Williams finished with a team high 25 points, which included five three pointers.  He was joined by Landrum who posted a double double with 17 points and a career high 20 boards, while blocking five shots.  Demusis totaled 14 points on the night with six rebounds, while Jennings had 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists. 

For Oxy, Cobb had a game high 26 points on 10-14 shooting, with Rice chipping in with 17 to go with seven boards.  Off the bench, Miller had 14 and Tanioka with 12.

Whittier remains on the road this week as they travel to Thousand Oaks, Calif. Wednesday, February 19 as they take on Cal Lutheran University beginning at 7:30pm.