PASADENA, Calif. - For the first time in more than two weeks the Cal Lutheran men's basketball team exited the gym victorious. Tonight at the Braun Athletic Center the Kingsmen snapped a four-game Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) skid as they defeated Caltech, 66-47.
Shooting 48 percent from the field in the opening half of action the Kingsmen jumped out to a 31-17 lead at the break and cruised to the win. Overall, CLU combined to shoot 48.9 percent after knocking down 50 percent of their second half shots. The Kingsmen were also 50 percent from the three-point line and posted a solid 14-for-17 performance from the charity stripe.
Cal Lutheran was paced by Jayvaughn Nettles with 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting after opening the game going 3-for-3 from the floor with one from long range in his only chance. He finished with a pair of three-pointers with an and-one, converting the free-throw as well. Michael Palmer led all players with 14. Jeremy Sulker-Hall, Dan Wade and Corey Quintana scored eight apiece and Martin Flowers chipped in with seven. Wade handed out a game-leading four assists.
All 12 Kingsmen dressed for the game saw action with senior Jordan Williams coming off the bench to make an impact in the second half. Williams scored a pair and handed out an assist while directing traffic as the CLU point guard. Lanaki Apele and Tyler Nunn each netted the only basket he attempted and Guy Lynott and Andrew Atakpo each contributed with a free-throw. Freshman Austin Maley made his SCIAC debut this evening, nearly knocking down a three-pointer in his only attempt, and Nunn made his first appearance for the Violet and Gold this year.
Defensively, CLU came down with two more rebounds, 28, than the Beavers. Quintana finished with game-highs of six boards and three blocks while Nettles grabbed five rebounds, adding a trio of steals to lead all players.
Leading the way for Caltech tonight were Pan Wang with 10 points and Mike Paluchniak with five rebounds.
Cal Lutheran (8-11, 4-6) returns to Gilbert Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 30 to host Whittier. The Kingsmen and Poets will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.
Box Score: CLU 66, CIT 47
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