Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

LA VERNE, Calif. – Senior Andrew Bucholtz (Lone Tree, CO) broke out Saturday evening for a season high 20 points leading the Purple & Gold to the 71-64 road victory over the Leopards of the University of La Verne.

Whittier has now won two straight and improve to 8-4, 2-1 SCIAC, while La Verne drops to 5-7, 1-2 SCIAC.

ULV attempted to slow down the game and keep the Poets high octane offense in check but turnovers proved costly as Whittier would turn 21 takeaways into 29 points, which proved to be detrimental for the Leos. 

Despite being outrebounded 42-21 and being outscored in the paint 34-28, the Poets managed to use a 44.2% shooting night with three players in double figures to pull off the crucial road victory. 

It was an early back and forth battle with ULV taking a lead 25-19 with 6:10 to play but the Poets managed to string together a 19-7 run over the final six minutes, which included the final eleven points of the half to take a 38-32 lead into intermission.

In the second, La Verne mounted a comeback taking back the lead 53-49 but a mini 8-0 run led by Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) and Bucholtz would give WC back the lead 59-53 with 5:59 to play.  This lead they wouldn't relinquish as they would add another six straight before six free throws in the final thirty seconds would secure the victory.

Jennings finished the night with a season high 19 points with 11 coming in the first half to go with five steals, an assist, and three rebounds.  Bucholtz led the rebounding effort with seven to go with two assists, two steals, and a block, while Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) chipped in with 10 points, four steals, and three rebounds.

Whittier remains on the road as they travel to Claremont, Calif. to take on the Stags of CMS on Tuesday, January 13 with game time set for 7:30pm.