Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2022) – An eventful night in the Graham Athletic Center resulted in the Whittier College men's basketball team coming inches away from pulling out another spectacular victory, this time against SCIAC contender Chapman University (16-2, 8-2 SCIAC).

Led by another special offensive showing from senior guard Ahmad Young (Sunnyvale, Calif. / De Anza College), the Poets set an early tone that they were going to knock down the open shots presented to them, forcing the Panthers to respond or risk falling into an early hole. The visiting team were able to do just that, but the Poets had no problem keeping pace, shooting 50 percent in the first half. Once play turned over into the second half, however, it became increasingly tougher for both sides to generate points. In Whittier's case, the Purple & Gold got things done with 15 second-chance points earned from outmuscling Chapman in the paint. Senior center Kyle Price (Rocklin, Calif. / Cal Maritime Academy) had nine points and nine rebounds in just 22 minutes of action, while junior forward Jordan Kanoe (San Antonio, Texas / Santa Monica College) grabbed his 10th rebound late in the second half. The Poets' frontcourt duo, along with junior guard Bryant Howing (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Rio Hondo College) would combine for nine offensive rebounds, affording the Poets some extra chances to burn the Panthers whether from the inside or outside.

The two sharpshooting squads would go on to trade the lead four times in the second half, pairing good ball movement with stout defense that helped manufacture a series of mini-runs. The Poets' starting five accounted for 26 of their 36 points over the final 20 minutes, with several players coming up big in clutch moments. With Chapman leading by three with just over a minute to play, Young, would find Kanoe underneath the basket for a two-handed jam, one of his six assists on the night. Though Kanoe's dunk did not directly put the Poets on top, it did give them the extra bit of energy necessary to keep their foot on the gas over the final minute, forcing Chapman to continue to make shots in order to retain the lead. With 22 seconds to play, a missed Chapman free throw gave the Poets, trailing by just one point, a chance to take the lead for good. While that chance didn't pan out, the Poets would have another opportunity after Chapman, in an attempt to squeeze out the win, opted to foul Howing with four seconds to go. Howing converted his first free throw to cut the Panthers' lead to two, then missed the second before garnering his own rebound that led to one last shot that ultimately came up just short. Monday's game marks another impressive home performance for the Poets, who will finish the season with back-to-back games on Dave Jacobs Court as they look to close out the regular season with gusto.

Head Coach Mark Jensen and the Poets will take to the road for their next SCIAC game, set to take place at Pomona-Pitzer on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.

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