WHITTIER, CA. (Feb. 17, 2024)- Aamari Smith (Decatur, GA, San Bernardino Valley) and Nick Manor-Hall (Chino Hills, Calif., Chino Hills HS) put on a show Saturday night, as the Whittier College Poets played host to the Caltech Beavers. After taking a dominant lead in the first half the Poets were able to ride it to a smooth 99-82 victory over the Beavers. 

As the game tipped off the two teams battled through the first 3 minutes of play, but then Whittier took off. About halfway through the first the Poets had already established a strong 15 point advantage over the Beavers. Whittier was moving the ball very well in this period, as many of the men on the team were able to get in on the scoring. At one point in this half, Roy Kalu (Boston, MA, Roxbury CC ) was the engine behind an 11-0 run from the team. Whittier continued to pour in the offense and showed a solid defensive front for the rest of the half and carried a 57-34 lead into the break. Manor-Hall's 17 and Smith's 14 were the main forces behind the big Poet lead. 

The men continued to show out in the second half of this game, they maintained their lead throughout. Smith stuffed the stat sheet in the second half as he was able to come away with 11 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals. The largest lead Whittier gained in this half was a 30 point advantage and the men were clicking on all cylinders. The fans poured in for this game as the Poets were hosting their annual PAC the GAC night and the men put on a show to the tune of their 99-82 victory. 

Whittier shot the ball incredibly well in this game, finishing shooting 56% from the field and 52% from behind the arc. Smith finished with 25 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and played an exceptional defense with a block and 6 steals! Manor-Hall was extremely efficient tonight finishing 8-11 and 3-4 from 3, on his way to 24 points. Kunal Bagga (Anaheim, Calif., Servite HS) was a sniper tonight from behind the arc, draining 5 3-pointers and finishing with 19. While Kevin Dobson (Corona, Calif., San Diego Christian College) continued to manage the offense and finished with 8 assists. 

Head Coach Mark Jensen and the team will have their final game of the season this Tuesday night. The Poets will be playing host to CMS, with the game tipping off at 7:00. Make sure to come out and support, as they will be honoring the graduating seniors before the game begins.