LOS ANGELES, Calif. ( Jan. 11, 2023)- The Poets took on the Occidental Tigers in another SCIAC matchup Wednesday night, falling 93-88, despite a strong second half.

From the tip, the Tigers got off to a quick start, were draining their buckets. About seven minutes into the game, Oxy had a 17-7 lead. The Poets were just not able to get their shots to fall. At the end of the first half, Occidental held a 45-27 lead over the Poets. 

Bryant Handley came off the bench and played hard during the first half, scoring six points and recording two assists, one rebound and a steal. Bryant Howing lead the Poets with seven points. Whittier would need to come out and shoot better during the second half. Through the first, itonly shot 28% from the field and 16% from three. 

As the second half began, Whittier came out and immediately began to cut its deficit. Five minutes into the half, the Poets were trailing 45-54. The next 10 minutes belonged to the Tigers, as they were able to grow their lead again. With three minutes left in the gamem the Tigers had a 21-point lead over the Poets. Whittier would make one final push, but ultimately would lose the game by a final score of 93-88. 

The second half was much better for the Poets as they were able to outscore the Tigers 61-48, while shooting 57% from the field and 62% from 3. Blake Lander had an amazing half with 18 points, with 3 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Lander would finish with 21 points and five rebounds. Whittier also was happy to have Nick Manor-Hall back for his second game of the season. Manor-Hall poured in a team-high 23 points, four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. 

The Poets' next game will be this Saturday, the 14th, as they return home to take on Pomona-Pitzer. This game will take place at 4 pm, following the women's game that starts at 2 pm. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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