THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's basketball (5-3, 1-1 SCIAC) outlasted Caltech (2-5, 0-2 SCIAC) on Saturday afternoon by a score of 89-82, recording its first SCIAC win of the young 2025-26 season. Matthew Verkamp registered a double-double, and Tony Angelo was one assist shy of his own double-double in the effort.

The teams traded baskets early with the Beavers opening up a 9-5 lead. The Kingsmen responded with a 12-0 run during which five different players scored. Caltech was able to claw back, and the majority of the opening half was tight between the two squads.

A pair of Caltech free throws made it 32-31 advantage Cal Lutheran, but the Kingsmen would close out the half strong. Ze'ev Remer hit a three, Makaio Morphy converted a layup and a pair of free throws, and freshman Cody Shen made the first field goal of his career just before the buzzer sounded, giving Cal Lutheran a 41-33 lead heading into the break.

The Kingsmen came out of halftime torching the nets with five deep balls in the first six minutes of the second half en route to a 58-49 lead, including two from Ryder Mjoen. Again, the Beavers showed resilience and cut the deficit to one at 69-68 with just under nine minutes to play.

The duo of Verkamp and Angelo came through when their team needed them, scoring or assisting on six of the next seven Cal Lutheran buckets to open an eight-point lead with two minutes remaining.

Clutch free-throw shooting retained a comfortable lead for Cal Lutheran down the stretch, and it eventually won 89-82.

Jaden Young led the Kingsmen with 16 points (6/12 FG, 2/2 FT). Verkamp recorded the first double-double of his career with 13 points (6/11 FG) and 11 rebounds, adding four assists. Angelo continued his impressive orchestration of the offense with 11 points (3/4 FG, 3/3 3FG, 2/2 FT) and nine assists. Remer had an uber-efficient game with 12 points (4/5 FG, 2/3 3FG, 2/2 FT), five assists, and no turnovers. Morphy was the fifth Kingsmen with double-digit points with 12 points.

Cal Lutheran set a new team record for three-pointers attempted with 47, making 16 of them. The previous record was recorded on February 25, 2025 against Whittier, when the Kingsmen set a team record with 21 three-pointers made on 43 attempts.

Young, Remer, and Angelo each recorded two steals on the defensive end. Despite only playing three minutes, Andrew Pipersburg led the Kingsmen with two blocks.

Cal Lutheran will take some time off before hosting Emerson on December 19 at 1pm.