CLAREMONT, Calif. — Cal Lutheran men's basketball fell 60-55 in a tightly contested SCIAC matchup against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Thursday night.  

Patrick Renane and Brock Susko led the Kingsmen in scoring with 16 points each. Susko had a great all-around game, adding 10 rebounds for a double-double and also picking up a game-high four steals. Desi Burrage also broke double-figures with 12 points on 5-7 shooting. 

The Kingsmen's shooting struggles limited their offensive production as they recorded their second-lowest point total all year. They were held to 35% (21-60) from the field and 22.6% (7-31) from three. 

The game was never out of reach, however, as the Kingsmen played solid defense of their own, limiting the Stags to just 37.5% (21-56) shooting from the field to keep them in it the whole way. 

The Stags jumped out to a 23-10 lead through the first 14 minutes of the first half. Burrage and Susko combined for 10 straight points in the final five minutes of the half to cut the Stags' lead to just three at halftime, 23-20. 

With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Renane drilled a shot to give the Kingsmen their first and only lead of the game at 35-34. 

The Stags and Kingsmen went shot-for-shot down the stretch, but the Kingsmen chased eight points with just a minute left in the contest, leaving them with not enough time to mount a comeback. 

With the result, the Kingsmen fall to 1-1 in conference play. They face off against Illinois Wesleyan at home on Monday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. to begin a four-game stretch of non-conference play.