ANGWIN, Calif. (Dec. 16, 2025) – The Whittier College men's basketball team passed its first road test of the season with flying colors, rolling past Pacific Union College 89–56 on Tuesday afternoon. The Poets combined sharp perimeter shooting with their strongest defensive showing of the year to control the game from start to finish and improve to 6–2 overall.
Whittier set the tone early, building a double-digit lead in the first half while knocking down seven three-pointers before the break. The Poets continued to stretch the floor in the second half, finishing the game 13-for-29 from beyond the arc and shooting nearly 45 percent from deep. Defensively, Whittier limited Pacific Union to just 34 percent shooting overall and forced nine turnovers, turning stops into consistent scoring opportunities.
Jonathan Duley (Rocklin, Calif. / Del Oro / Cuyamaca College) and Peyton Guerrero (Huntington Beach, Calif. / Ocean View) paced a balanced offensive effort with 17 points apiece, as Guerrero continued his strong early-season form off the bench. Jaden Mathis (Pasadena, Calif. / Pasadena / Palomar College) followed with 15 points, highlighted by five made three-pointers, marking the fourth time in his career he has connected on five shots from long range in a game. Sean Cervantes (Hacienda Heights, Calif. / La Mirada) and Bryce Whitaker (Burbank, Calif. / Providence / Montana State Billings) each added nine points while facilitating the offense, and Brandon Andrews (Houston, Texas / Clear Brook / Palomar College) contributed eight points while battling inside.
The Poets also controlled the glass and spread minutes throughout the roster, with Tochi Onyeador (Amuri, Nigeria / MEC / Los Medanos College) anchoring the paint defensively and several bench players providing steady energy. Whittier's ability to defend, shoot efficiently from distance, and share the scoring load helped the Purple & Gold push the margin to as many as 38 points late in the second half.
Head Coach Mark Jensen and the Poets move to 6–2 overall and remain 1–1 in SCIAC play. Whittier will stay on the road as they travel to Vallejo, Calif. to face CSU Maritime on Thursday, December 18, at 2 p.m.
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