Poets ground Eagles, slay Lions

David Pham, dynamic, Issue 12, Sports - By David Pham on Thursday, December 2, 2010 - 04:03

The Whittier College men’s basketball team (2-1) defeated the Vanguard Lions with 53 percent accuracy from beyond the three-point arc, 83-78, on Saturday, Nov. 27.

The Poets were able to lead the Lions throughout the majority of the game. After the first half, Whittier held their lead with their field goal percentage over 50 percent for three-pointers and 70 percent for free-throws. “We tried to hustle and run our plays,” sophomore guard Willie Mebane said. “It’s always a team effort. We pulled together for this win.” Mebane finished with eight points, eight assists and six rebounds. Whittier’s bench was able to put up 26 points for the Poets. Sophomore Paul Davis guard led the bench with 10 points and first-year forward Tyree Landrum with five rebounds and two blocks.

Whittier rolled past the West Coast Baptist Eagles in the season opener with a major push by the bench in a 86-71 victory on Saturday, Nov. 20. The Poets’ bench logged in 38 points for Whittier. Senior guard Ricky Kamayatsu led the bench with 13 points sinking three of his four three-point attempts and junior Brandon Thomas made all three point-point attempts with 11 points total. Whittier had control during the game with 10 different scorers and West Coast Baptist had a difficult time stopping all of Whittier’s potential scorers.

The Biola University Eagles defeated the Poets 78-36 on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The No. 16 NAIA Division I Eagles had five players score double digits with above a 50 percent shooting accuracy as a team. “They were good,” Mebane said. “It was a learning experience, definitely.” After the first four minutes, the Poets were not able to break the lead of the Eagles. They were not able to get in within nine points of Biola.

Whittier will travel to Redlands University to compete in the Fulmer Tournament, Thursday, Dec. 2.