Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

ORANGE, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team bounced back following their loss to Caltech to upset the Panthers of No. 18 Chapman University 79-63 Tuesday night at the Hutton Sports Center.

The loss was Chapman's first at home in over a year (2/1/14) and knocked the Panthers out of first place for the first time this season.

The loss was Chapman's third in five games after beginning the season 16-0. It also snapped the Panthers' 12-game home winning streak.

Whittier (13-8 overall, 7-5 SCIAC) was coming off of a loss to last-place Caltech on Saturday, but rebounded in a big way. On the strength of a 12-0 run to open the second half, the Poets built a double-digit lead and maintained it over the final 12 minutes of the game. Whittier led by as many as 18 points late in the game and had three starters score in double figures: Andrew Torres (Whittier, Calif.) (22 points), Eric Jennings (Fontana, Calif.) (18) and Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) (15).

Chapman (18-3 overall, 9-3 SCIAC) had fought back from a first-half deficit to take a 38-36 halftime lead thanks to an 11-2 run over the final 2:58 in the period. Back-to-back buckets by Colin Zavrsnick, including a three, aided the Panthers' run.

Whittier shot a season high 60.4% (32-53) from the field and a 53.3% (8-15) clip from behind the arc.  They fought inside to win the boards 35-29, added 16 points off nine CU turnovers and had 17 assists. 

Andrew Bucholtz (Lone Tree, CO) nearly missed a double double finishing with eight points and 11 boards.  Torres along with his 22 points had five rebounds and five assists, and Demusis added six rebounds and three assists.

For Chapman, Zavrsnick finished with 20 points, including a pair of threes.  Justin Young earned a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds (eight offensive).     

The Poets who are seeking a SCIAC Post Season Berth looks to get revenge this Saturday, February 14 as they take on the first place Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran University on the road beginning at 4:00pm.  The previous time these programs met back on January 27, CLU pulled out a come from behind 78-76 victory in overtime.