WHITTIER, Calif. — Cal Lutheran men's basketball (4-3, 0-1 SCIAC) went back and forth with Whittier College (4-1, 1-0 SCIAC), but ultimately fell short 70-65 in the team's SCIAC opener. 

The Kingsmen jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, the biggest lead they would hold in a very tight first half. 

Cal Lutheran's first 12 points came on four three-pointers from four different players, foreshadowing a successful night from beyond the arc that saw them shoot 42% (10-24). 

Following the early four-point lead, the game would remain within three points amid six lead changes before a seven-point run put the Poets up five with about three minutes left in the first half. 

A pair of threes from sophomore Josh DeVore and a layup from junior Jaden Young helped cut the lead to two as the game headed to halftime with Cal Lutheran down 32-30. 

After trading baskets coming out of the break, three straight buckets from Young kickstarted a 14-point run from the Kingsmen, putting them up 49-38 about halfway through the half. 

The Poets countered with a run of their own however, ultimately proving too much for Cal Lutheran. 

Senior Ze'ev Remer knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the game with a minute left, but a Whittier jumper and pair of free throws handed the Kingsmen their third loss of the season. 

The Kingsmen will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host Caltech in the team's SCIAC home opener.