Poets Cruise to Victory in Season Opener

Whittier College men's basketball kicked off its 2007-08 campaign with a win at West Coast Baptist College on November 17.  Three Poets scored in double figures en route to a convincing 68-35 victory.

Marcus Gibson '09 led all scorers with 21 points, including five three-pointers.  As a team, the Poets shot 50% from beyond the arc.  Vernon Covington '08 filled the stat sheet with fifteen points, eight rebounds, four on the offensive end, three assists and two steals.  Jeff McLean '09 added ten points and six rebounds and Travis Crow '09 was 4-for-6 from the field and finished with nine points and six boards. 

As a team, the Poets held West Coast Baptist to just 13 first half points and 23% shooting in the game.  Whittier also forced 27 turnovers resulting in 28 points and the bench accounted for 23 points.

West Coast Baptist was led by Tommy Thorogood, who scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds.  Brendan Swann pulled down a game-high 14 boards, eight on the offensive end, and scored six points.

The Poets are in action again on November 20, when they play their home opener against NAIA opponent Holy Names University at 7:30pm.  It is game two of the First Toys for Tots Classic.  Game one features Rio Hondo College against East Los Angeles College at 5:30pm in the Graham Athletics Center.