LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Dec. 29, 2024) – The Whittier College men's basketball team closed its two-game stint in Las Vegas against Ramapo College in a game where several Poets stepped up down the stretch to give the team quality minutes.
In Ramapo, the Poets drew perhaps their most difficult matchup of the season in a physical, big, and deep team from North Jersey. That did not, however, stop senior guard
Roy Kalu from boosting Whittier down the stretch as the Poets embarked on a 32-13 run over the game's final 13 minutes. Kalu led all Poets in scoring with 15 points and got it done thanks in large respect to his tremendous motor and intensity with the ball in his hands. He shot 6-for-12 from the field and added four rebounds.
Kalu was not the only Poet to step up in the face of adversity. Sophomore guard
Sean Cervantes showed he has made tremendous strides since his rookie season, assuming the point guard role for the majority of the second half. All four of his points came on a four-point play from deep, but of greater note, the sophomore picked up a career-high six assists and showed he can be factor for the Poets off the bench should his team need him once SCIAC play ramps up. As for the rest of the team, the Poets turned the ball over just five teams, marking the fourth time this year the Poets have had six or fewer turnovers.
Although his numbers paled in comparison to some of his other performances in the 2024-25 season, senior
Aamari Smith made All-Tournament team for a Poets team that went 1-1 in Vegas.
Head Coach Mark Jensen and the Poets will return with nothing but SCIAC action for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. They will host Chapman University in a pivotal game on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
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