Poets win P&G Classic, Menez named MVP

WHITTIER, Calif. - Drew Menez recorded season-highs in points, rebounds and steals as he led the Whittier College men's basketball team to an 80-62 win over Northland to claim the 2010 Purple & Gold Classic championship on Sunday evening at the Graham Athletics Center.

Menez scored 33 points on 15-of-21 shooting which includes a second half stretch of 13 consecutive points for the purple and gold over a six minute span. During that time Menez outscored the Lumberjacks 13-2 and gave the Poets a 54-33 lead with 14:26 left in the game.

The junior forward grabbed 10 boards and fell just two steals shy of a triple double. His eight steals was five more than his previous high of three set back on November 27.

Menez earned the tournament Most Valuable Player Award and was joined by fellow junior David Hayashi on the all-tournament team. Hayashi finished with seven points, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Whittier (6-4) held a slim 10-9 lead at the 13:13 mark of the first half but used a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to extend its lead to 12 points at 23-11.

The Poets scored 30 of their 39 first half points from inside the paint and had 16 points off of fast breaks. Whittier led 39-31 at the intermission.

The second half lead for the Poets reached as large as 25 with 13 minutes remaining in the game. The Lumberjacks (3-9) got as close as 12 points late in the second half but WC held on for the 18 point win.

Whittier continued its dominance in the fast break game as it outscored Northland 8-0 in the second half and 24-2 for the game. WC controlled the inside despite being outrebounded with a 54-20 advantage in points in the paint.

Jonathan Saucedo was the second leading scorer for the Poets with eight points but had a game-high six assists. Josh Deanne put together another solid outing as he returns from injury with a six points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals.

The Poets won both of their tournament games by a combined 16.5 points.

Northland was led offensively by Ryan Cannata who scored a team-high 18 points. Cannata and Joey Brennan were named to the all-tournament for the Lumberjacks. Southwestern's Houston Friend and La Sierra's Miles Robbins.

Whittier returns to the hardwood on Saturday as they face SCIAC rival Occidental in the 2010 conference opener. The game is set for a 7:30 pm in Los Angeles.