Kingsmen Hang on to Win Season Opener
Inniss takes matters into own hands
Sophomore Bethel Hailemichael scored a team-high 16 points in Friday's 72-67 victory over Whitman.
Photo: Tracy Maple · Hi-res imagePASADENA, Calif. - The California Lutheran University men's basketball team opened the season on the road to take part in the co-hosted Cal Lutheran/Caltech Classic on Friday afternoon, defeating Whitman (WA) College 72-67. Senior captain Deshion Inniss came up clutch in the final seconds of the game sinking 3-of-4 free throws and grabbing the final rebound to seal the deal.
The Kingsmen stormed out to a 19-4 run to start the game and it looked as though it would be over quickly. CLU would lead by 13 at the half and take 37 first half shots to just 18 to the Missionaries.
Whitman's defense played a major role in holding the Kingsmen to no three-pointers in the second half and would eventually take the lead 54-52 when Chris Faidley drained one of his four three's en route to a game-high 20 points.
However, CLU bounced back and the play of Inniss, Bethel Hailemichael and Mychal Owens sparked a late Kingsmen run to earn the five-point victory.
CLU used just two players off its bench and had four players out on the court for at least 29 minutes.
Cal Lutheran (1-0) will wrap up the tournament at the same location on Saturday, November 24 at 6 pm against Chapman University.
BOX SCORE: Cal Lutheran 72, Whitman 67 F
