WHITTIER, CA. (Jan. 17, 2024)- The Whittier men's basketball team took on the #16 nationally ranked and top ranked SCIAC team in the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen Wednesday night. The Poets battled hard in this game and were tied with the Kingsmen at halftime, but with a deeper bench Cal Lutheran was able to run away with this one in the second. Although the final score would be 95-68, the Poets showed some bright spots in this game. 

The Poets came out of the tip ready to battle in this game. Cal Lutheran quickly got out to a 6-0 lead, but Whittier was not going to just roll over after getting into the hole early. The men came out in their typical run and gun offense and intense defense that threw the Kingsmen off their game. Halfway through the first half the two teams were tied at 19. As the game went on the teams battled and traded shots back and forth; as they headed to halftime no team held the advantage as the teams were tied at 37. 

As the second half began, the game began to get away from the Poets. Cal Lutheran captured the lead, but Whittier was able to keep the deficit in single digits for about the first 8 minutes of the second half. The Kingsmen's deep bench was able to carry them to the big run in the second half. As the horn blew for the end of the game Cal Lutheran would capture the 95-68 victory. 

Despite the final score, Whittier did have some highlights in this game. The men shot a respectable 44% from the field and 33% from behind the arc, while coming away with 7 steals and 3 blocks. Nick Manor-Hall (Chino Hills, Calif., Chino Hills HS) came away with a double-double in this game with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kunal Bagga (Anaheim, Calif., Servite HS) was the Poets leading scoring with 16 points tonight. As Aamari Smith (Decatur, GA, San Bernardino Valley), 12, and Roy Kalu (Boston, MA, Roxbury CC), 10, each scored in double-digits. Whittier will look to rebound from this game as they will take on Chapman University this Saturday. This game will be played at home in the Graham Athletics Center, tipping off at 2:00. The Whittier Poets Women's basketball team will also be taking on Chapman at home following the Men's game at 4:00.