Men's Basketball Wins First Game of Redlands Tournament, Poets Take on Chapman in Round Two

Vernon Covington '08 came off the bench to score 13 points and grab seven rebounds as Whittier College won 100-64 over Life Pacific College in round one of the 59th annual Lee Fulmer Memorial Tournament hosted by the University of Redlands on November 30.

Covington was 5-of-9 from the field in 17 minutes of play.  Marcus Gibson '09 was the game's high scorer with 16 points.  Jeff McLean '08 and Jonathan Saucedo '10 added 10 points apiece.  Paul Swesey '10 scored nine points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds in just eleven minutes of action. 

The Poets (3-1) shot 60 percent from the field in the second half and 54 percent for the game.  They held a 44-17 lead at halftime.  Whittier dominated the game inside, outscoring Life Pacific (2-6) 60-28 in the paint.  Life Pacific finished with three players in double figures.

The Poets face Chapman University, who beat Colorado College 73-47, in round two.  The two teams faced each other already this season, with Whittier winning a 60-57 thriller at Chapman on November 17.  The rematch takes place at Redlands on December 1 at 6pm.