WHITTIER, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2023)- Whittier took on a tough Pomona-Pitzer team in a back and forth SCIAC battle. In the end, the Poets were not able to keep up with the Sagehens, as they were defeated, 90-81. 

Pomona had been a strong team in SCIAC throughout the season, but the Poets were ready to come out and fight as they tipped off. In the first 10 minutes of the half, the Poets converted five three-pointers and were only trailing the Sagehens by two. The two teams continued to go back and forth with each other throughout the remainder of the half, with neither team able to control the lead. As the half closed, Whittier went on one final run to take a 36-31 lead into the half. 

Nick Manor-Hall had an exceptional half as he lead the Poets in scoring with 12, rebounds with four. Overall, the Poets were enjoying an excellent shooting night from behind the arc shooting 40% and would need to continue to drain these shots in the second half. 

The buzzer sounded to begin the second half and both teams continued to play strong. As the first 5 minutes ticked away on the clock, the game continued to see lead changes between the two teams. Pomona then began to pull away from the Poets. With 8 minutes left in the game the Sagehens were leading 71-61. The Poets tried to fight back and made a strong run at it, but eventually fell to Pomona 90-81. 

The Poets had four men-- Bryant Howing, Manor-Hall, Blake Lander, and Bryant Handley-- score in double-digits this game. Howing was the leading scoring in the game with 23 points, going 5-6 from behind the arc, while also recording five assists. Lander had another efficient and productive game with 16 points and six rebounds, while Handley scored 12. Manor-Hall was able to fill up the stat sheet, with 18 points, five assists, eight rebounds, a steal, a block and an explosive alley-oop throwdown. 

The men played hard this game, but could not pull it off at the end. Their next game will be on the road, as they travel to Thousand Oaks to take on the Kingsmen of Cal Lutheran. Whittier will be looking to capture its first conference victory of the season. 

Photo: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

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