Men's Hoops Takes Down Sagehens for Sixth Straight

Finale win secures back-to-back SCIAC titles

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 2:51 pm

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Although the SCIAC playoff tournament officially begins on Friday, the Cal Lutheran men's basketball team improved its chances of hosting its semifinal game along with earning back-to-back SCIAC titles following a 61-52 road win over Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Saturday night.

Following a Kyle Knudsen three pointer to give the Kingsmen its largest first half lead at 22-18 at the 5:51 mark, Sagehens starters Gabriel Porter and David Liss closed out the period outscoring CLU 11-2.

Losing by seven early in the second half the Kingsmen comeback sparked by Aaron Van Klaveren and Knudsen was capped off by an Aaron Fisher three-point play after sinking the game-tying bucket and go-ahead free throw.

This trio totaled 52 points--that of the entire Sagehens team--and shot .526 from the field (20-for-38).

Knudsen had a strong second half scoring 18 of his game-high 21 points. He also led the Kingsmen with nine rebounds and two steals.

Van Klaveren finished with 16 and eight boards with Fisher adding 15 and seven rebounds.

In the team's first meeting with Pomona-Pitzer winning 69-65 the Sagehens knocked down 13-of-22 three pointers. On Saturday they went 7-for-27 and just 2-for-13 in the second half.

While the Sagehens struggled the Kingsmen excelled knocking down 13-of-14 free throws including 11-of-12 in the second half.

Only two teams remain in a first place tie with one game to go as Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Cal Lutheran (10-3 SCIAC) are one game ahead of Pomona-Pitzer and Whittier (9-4 SCIAC).

CLU has won at least one game against every SCIAC team except one--Whittier. The two will battle in Gilbert Arena on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the regular season finale.

A Kingsmen victory would clinch at least a share of the regular season conference title pending CMS' Tuesday result against Caltech. It would also assure hosting its SCIAC tournament semifinal match-up against either the Sagehens or Poets.

Box Score: CLU 61, PP 52 F