Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. – The Whittier College men's basketball team clinched their third Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Post Season Tournament berth Monday night as they held off the Bulldogs of the University of Redlands 67-57 during PAC the GAC.

Since the SCIAC Post Season Tournament originated back in 2008-2009 the Poets have been a part of the tournament four times (2008-09; 2011-12; 2012-13; 2014-15).  This marks the third appearance for Whittier in the Post Season Tournament in the past four years.  In their first appearance they came in as the No. 2 seed and had to host No. 3 Pomona-Pitzer.  The end result was a Sagehen upset victory by a score of 92-76.  In their second appearance they came in as the No. 3 seed and took on No. 2 Pomona-Pitzer on the road eventually falling 60-53.

In their third appearance they faced off against Claremont-M-S who was the No. 2 seed and nearly pulled off the upset falling 62-60. 

On senior night where Andrew Bucholtz (Lone Tree, CO) and Nick Demusis (Mililani, HI) were recognized, the Whittier College faithful provided a spark that was much needed as the Poets needed a win to clinch their SCIAC Tournament appearance. 

Redlands managed to knock down ten three pointers in the game but it wouldn't be enough as Whittier used two big runs that kept the Bulldogs at bay.  Whittier held UR to 29% shooting, while shooting 44% themselves.  The Poets shot just 19% from deep, which is their strength but proved more lethal on the defensive end forcing 17 Redlands turnovers and turning them into 20 points.

Whittier jumped out in front by nine with a 10-0 run sparked by back to back three pointers from Louis Kurihara (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) and Andrew Torres (Whittier, Calif.).  But Redlands stormed back with their own 11-2 run that tied things up at 16 apiece capped off with a jumper from Sean Milligan.  Will Tender would convert on UR's next possession with a three ball that put the Bulldogs up 19-16 but the Poets would respond with a 9-1 run with five of them coming from Bucholtz, which closed out the half for a 25-20 lead.

Out of the break Redlands dropped a quick five points with a layin by Aljosa Bjekovic and a three pointer from Blake O'Brien that tied things up but another Purple & Gold scoring run resulted in a nine point Bulldog deficit with 13:44 left in the game. 

Redlands bounced back to pull within five 36-31 at the midway point of the second half but Whittier would put together an 8-0 run with Kurihara and Torres again answering from deep that gave the Poets their largest lead of the game at fifteen 49-34.  Redlands attempted a comeback late with three triples coming from Bjekovic in the final minutes but Whittier would take care of its opportunities at the charity stripe that kept the Maroon and Grey at bay resulting in the ten point victory.

Torres led the Poets with a game high 18 points and six boards.  Bucholtz barely missed out on a double double with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Demusis finished with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal. 

Bjekovic finished with 18 points, which included a 5-for-10 effort from beyond the arc.  He also pulled in 10 rebounds for another double-double on the season.

Whittier wraps up their regular season tonight, Tuesday, February 24 as they travel to Claremont, Calif. to take on Pomona-Pitzer beginning at 7:30pm.