Whittier buries Beavers with 60 percent shooting

Photo by: Tony Leon/ActionWestPhotography.com

WHITTIER, Calif. - The Whittier College men's basketball team shot 60 percent from the field and had four players reach double figures as it hit the century mark for the second time this season in a 103-65 win over Caltech on Saturday evening at Dave Jacobs Court.

Whittier's lead never reached more than six points through the first 12:19 of the game but a 31-8 run over the remainder of the half opened things up for the purple and gold.

The Poets lead 55-29 at the intermission.

The second half Whittier lead never dropped below 27 points and hit a game-high 38 on Ricky Kamayatsu's three-pointer in the final minute of play.

Whittier (8-9, 2-5 SCIAC) forced 29 Caltech turnovers and outscored the Beavers 33-5 off miscues. AJ Manalo led all participants with four takeaways.

Despite the fact they were outrebounded 35-30, the Poets controlled the paint with 52 points from inside.

Drew Menez led the purple and gold with 20 points, Davis Hayashi had 16 which includes four made three-pointers, DaMon Perry chipped in with 15 points and Manalo added 13.

Zach Corns and Willie Mebane pulled down a team-high five rebounds and Jason O'Brien dished out a game-high five assists.

For the game the Poets shot 40-of-67 and made 8-of-13 three-point attempts.

Tonight's win snaps Whittier's three game losing skid.

WC returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, February 3, as it hosts Occidental at 7:30 pm.