WHITTIER, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2022)- The Poet men took on the Pacific University (Oregon) Boxers in Saturday's non-conference match, with home Whittier falling to Pacific, 98-76. Despite the final score, the game was competitive, featuring seven ties and 11 lead changes.

As the game began, both teams came out with tenacity on defense, as neither team was able to get many of their shots to fall. Whittier then started to find the bottom of the net and held an 19-14 lead after Bryant Howing converted his first field goal of the night. Pacific would then go on a run to take a 31-22 lead with 6 minutes left in the first half. As time expired at the half, the Boxers held a narrow one-point lead. 

Going into halftime, Kunal Bagga led the Poets in scoring with 14 points. Bryden Lovdahl utilized his height effectively in this half coming away with four rebounds and the lone block of the game. The Poets also had four steals as the buzzer sounded. 

Starting the second half, Whittier took the lead less than two minutes into the second half, knocking down two deep threes for a 43-42 advantage. However, Pacific would finally get in their rhythm and with 10 minutes left in the game held a 70-54. The Boxers would continue to find open looks and had a commanding 87-65 lead with 5 minutes left. The game would end with the score 98-76 Boxers. 

Howing led the Poets with six assists and three steals, while also adding 19 points. Bagga was the top scorer of the night, totaling 20 points on 7-for-11 from the floor, including his sixth made three-pointer of the season (the sophomore is now shooting 46.2% from deep). Ethan Battistini once again provided the Poets with a spark off the beach with 13 points and four rebounds. 

The Poets' next game will be on Monday the 19th, when they host visiting Crown University from Minnesota. They will be looking to get back on track after falling in their last four games. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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