Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – In one of the most anticipated match-ups of the season, the Whittier College men's basketball team was unable to earn their third straight overtime victory Tuesday night as they fell 78-76 to the Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran University in the Graham Athletic Center.

Whittier who sat in sole possession of third place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Standings (SCIAC) coming into tonight now drops into fourth place at 11-6, 5-3 SCIAC, while Cal Lutheran moves up into the No. 3 slot at 11-4, 5-2 SCIAC.

The Purple & Gold had a golden opportunity for the game winner from Andrew Torres (Whittier, Calif.) with under 5.0 seconds to play in regulation as he took his defender off the dribble at the top of the key getting a clean look at the go ahead lay-up as his defender slipped, but his layin would come up short forcing the extra period.

CLU's Kellen Birdsall would come up big on the other end however for the Kingsmen as they trailed by one with 5.0 seconds left in OT as he knocked down the game winning three pointer that sent the Kingsmen to the come from behind victory. 

The first half the Poets were clicking on all cylinders shooting 57% from the field putting up 40 points led by Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) who put up 13 of his team high 23 points that gave WC a 40-26 advantage at the break.  

In the second, the Kingsmen would storm back outscoring the Poets 42-28.  Whittier held a slight advantage throughout and would weather the small runs by CLU to maintain the lead up until the 3:22 mark when Arik Smith drained back to back three pointers that gave the Kingsmen their first lead of the game 64-63. 

Following two free throws from Guy Lynott that gave Cal Lutheran back the lead 66-65, Torres would come down and drain a big three pointer on the ensuing possession that put the Poets in front 68-66 with 2:17 to play.  Whittier held onto the two point lead with :29 seconds left, Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) would miss his jumper in the paint and Smith again would come up clutch on the other end pulling up from 15 feet that sent the game in overtime.

In extra time, Demusis would open with two three pointers that put Whittier in front 74-70.  Coltrane Powdrill would answer with a tip-in that pulled CLU within two 74-72 before a Jennings layin would extend the Poet lead back to four with 1:51 to play.

With 1:27 to go, Smith would again come up with a big pull up three pointer that pulled Cal Lutheran within one 76-75.  Smith would again look for the game winner seconds later but it would rim out as Torres would grab the defensive rebound.  But on his way down, the ball would be stripped by Connor McGuire giving CLU one last look.

Head Coach Rich Rider would call a timeout and would give the green light to Smith who passed on a jumper finding Birdsall in the corner who drained the wide open game winning three pointer. 

Along with his 23 points, Demusis also picked up seven rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks.  Andrew Bucholtz (Lone Tree, CO) would gather 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go with five boards, Jennings would chip in with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Torres came off the bench to finish with nine points, nine rebounds, and six assists. 

Smith silenced a packed house in the GAC finishing with a season high 33 points on 11-of-25 shooting.  Powdrill chipped in with a double double of 14 points and 10 boards.  McGuire would come up with six points and 12 rebounds and Birdsall chipped in with seven points off the bench.

Whittier held the slight 39-38 advantage on the glass, had 36 points in the paint, shot 46.3% from the field, and had a lead as large as 16 on the evening.

The Poets remain at home for their next game as they host Claremont-M-S this Saturday, January 31 in the GAC beginning at 7:00pm.