WHITTIER, CA. (Dec. 14, 2023)- The Poets men's basketball team returned home for the first time in over a month, playing host to Park University from Arizona. Whittier's ferocity on defense and up-tempo play put the Poets in control early and steered them to a double-digit victory. Despite the Buccaneers making a few solid pushes, the Poets were able to hold on to a 74-64 victory. 

As the game tipped, Jake Estep (Portland, OR, Umpqua CC) and the Poets got off to an amazing start from behind the arc. Whittier connected on 4 of their first 6 three point attempts and began the game on a 12-0 run. The Poets came out with a different identity on the defensive side of the court this game, pushing Park to go scoreless for the first 5 minutes of the game. The men were also putting together a nice start and ended this 5 minute run with a 14-0 lead. 

Park University then went on a massive run of their own, when the Poets shooting went cold. The Buccaneers were able to swing this game in a complete 180 going on an 18-2 run the next 6 minutes and control an 18-16 lead. 

The Poets were ready to fight this game though and after a media timeout were able to re-establish their shot. The two teams battled for the remainder of the half, but it was Whittier who had the advantage at halftime. In the final few minutes of the half, Nick Manor-Hall (Chino Hills, Calif., Chino Hills HS) had the highlight of the game when he threw down a monster poster dunk over the Park University 6'7" center. Shooting 41% from behind the arc, the Purple and Gold held a 35-32 lead at the end of the first. 

During the half, Coach Jensen talked with the team and got them refocused to come out and play the way they were playing at the start of the game. Defense is what established the early lead and the men were ready to show out on this side of the court. 

Coming out of the half the men had a tenacity about them. They were running and gunning up and down the court. The Buccaneers were not able to keep up with the athleticism of the Poets, and Whittier had established an 11 point lead about 5 minutes into the half. 

Park University was able to make a few runs of their own in this second period, but Whittier would answer back every time. The men wanted this victory and were ready to fight. With 2 minutes and 30 seconds left in this game Whittier had the ball coming out of a timeout and put the final stamp on this game. They were able to seal it by a series of fouls and offensive rebounds that allowed them to hold the ball for over a full minute and took off enough time to end the Buccaneers chances.

In the end, Whittier was able to dominate this second half on their way to a 74-64 victory. Aamari Smith once again led the Poets in scoring a solid 22 points on 53% shooting. It was the defense of Whittier that truly secured the victory though, as they were able to come away with 10 steals, 2 blocks, and forced 19 turnovers. 

Roy Kalu (Boston, MA, Roxbury CC), who led the Poets with 3 steals, was asked after the game about the intensity the team came out with in the second half. He stated, "Coach had a great talk with us during the break, he explained that we were in control of this game and needed to just play our game. We have been really working on our defense and learning how to play for each other and I think we showed that this game. We just have to keep the momentum going and play our style." The Poets will look to keep rolling, as they take on La Sierra University on Monday. Whittier will be hosting the Eagles in an early game; as tip off is slated for 1:00 in Whittier.