ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2025) – The Whittier College men's basketball team turned in one of its most disciplined defensive performances of the season Wednesday night, battling throughout a tightly contested SCIAC matchup before concluding the evening with a 68–62 decision at Chapman's Hutton Sports Center.
The game featured physical play and consistent defensive pressure on both ends, with Whittier controlling the paint and forcing tough looks throughout the night. The Poets kept the contest within one possession for long stretches, trading momentum across multiple lead changes and keeping the game within reach into the final minutes.
Jonathan Duley (Rocklin, Calif. / Del Oro / Cuyamaca College) once again led the offensive effort, finishing with a team-high 19 points while continuing his strong scoring stretch. The junior also recorded a season-high five steals, applying constant pressure defensively and setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
Tochi Onyeador (Amuri, Nigeria / MEC / Los Medanos College) added another imposing interior performance, recording his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Onyeador also swatted three shots, marking his 10th game of the season with three or more blocks and continuing to anchor Whittier's defensive identity.
Brandon Andrews (Houston, Texas / Clear Brook / Palomar College) contributed 11 points while providing steady offensive balance, and Chinecherem Nwanevu (Eastvale, Calif. / Norco / San Bernardino Valley College) turned in a strong all-around outing with nine points, eight rebounds, three steals, and consistent defensive effort across 38 minutes. As a team, Whittier scored 36 points in the paint and generated second-chance opportunities, reflecting their physical approach throughout the night.
Whittier now stands at 13–8 overall and 6–6 in SCIAC play. Head Coach Mark Jensen and the Poets will continue their road stretch on Saturday, February 7, traveling to Claremont, Calif. for a big SCIAC matchup against No. 13 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 2 p.m.
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