WHITTIER, Calif. (Nov. 11, 2022) – Whittier won its season opener, 95-85, at home against California Miramar University by dominating on the boards and at the free throw line.

The Poets outrebounded the Fighting Falcons by 40, 77-37, and 34-5 on the offensive glass. At the free throw line, Whittier outscored CMU 33-19. The home team attempted nine more freebies than CMU, while shooting a much higher percentage from the charity stripe (80.5% compared to 59.4%).

Three Poets rebounded in double figures, led by senior Ethan Battistini's 19, including 10 of the offensive variety. Freshman forward Blake Lander (14 points and 12 rebounds) and senior guard Jude Agbasi (10 points and 11 rebounds) finished with double-doubles, and sophomore guard Kunal Bagga led the team in scoring with an efficient 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Bagga also contributed a team-high three steals.

The 6-foot-8 Battistini was a force not only on the glass but also at drawing fouls. He made 7-of-8 free throws, falling just short of a double-double with nine points. He also recorded a team-high two blocks.

The Fighting Falcons received 65.9% of their points from two players: shooting guard Richard McMichael Jr., who scored a game-high 35, and point guard Francis Dogani, who had 22.

The game was much closer than the final score indicates with five ties and seven lead changes. After Whittier led 87-77 with 4:29 remaining in the game, CMU went on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to two points with 2:22 left. Bagga then restored order for the Poets by drawing a foul and sinking both free throws with 1:43 left, and it was all Poets the rest of the way for a 95-85 victory.

Despite the massive rebounding disparity, CMU was able to stay in the game due to Whittier's shooting struggles (29.8% from the floor and 16.7% from deep). The Fighting Falcons also showed an ability to score in transition, outscoring the Poets in fastbreak points 15-4. However, Whittier was able to cash in on their humongous offensive rebound advantage by outscoring CMU 39-8 in second chance points. Whittier's depth proved helpful too, as its bench outscored CMU's by 20 points in the contest.

The Poets' next game comes Saturday on the road in Phoenix, Ariz. against SAGU American Indian College at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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