Basketball Teams Take Down Whittier

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Rich Rider has experienced many things in his 20 seasons coaching the Cal Lutheran men's basketball team.

But Rider had never experienced a triple-overtime game until Saturday night.

Rallying from a 15-point second-half deficit, CLU defeated Whittier 111-108 in triple overtime at Gilbert Arena to remain in first place in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings.

"There were so many twists and turns in that game it was like a soap opera," Rider said. "I am just very proud of our guys. Things weren't going our way and we stayed positive the whole time and found a way to win."

The victory capped a CLU doubleheader sweep as the women's team defeated Whittier by 30 points in the opener.

Arik Smith and Coltrane Powdrill ensured their Senior Night memories for the Kingsmen (17-4, 11-2) would be unforgettable.

They both never left the floor, playing all 55 minutes. Powdrill scored 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while Smith scored 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Kingsmen defeated Whittier by two in overtime in the first meeting, and the teams played even longer in the rematch.

After a tight first half, Whittier started raining down 3-pointers as part of a 14-0 second-half run to take a 70-55 lead.

But the Kingsmen battled back, taking a 76-75 lead on an offensive rebound and putback by Guy Lynott.

The teams traded leads and forced ties throughout the final four minutes.

CLU had a chance to win in regulation with the game tied 83-83, but Smith's shot in the lane was waived off after the officials ruled it came a tick after the buzzer.

Smith appeared to get redemption in the first overtime when he calmly made two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to give CLU a 93-91 lead.

But Whittier's Jacob Contreras hit a shot from corner at the buzzer to send the game into double overtime.

Smith's layup with six seconds left tied the game 99-99 to send the game into triple overtime.

CLU grabbed a 106-100 lead in the third overtime and managed to hit free throws to hold on for the victory.

"Our team easily could have quit or given up when we got down by 15, but the guys fought hard for the seniors," Smith said. "I told them in the locker room I am thankful for that and really appreciate what they did for us."

In the opening game, the CLU women executed at a high level offensively to defeat Whittier 88-58 and remain in second place in the SCIAC standings.

The Regals (16-6, 11-2) gradually gained separation from Whittier (9-12, 5-8) in the first half, taking a 41-28 into halftime.

CLU quickly expanded the lead to 50-30 at the start of the second half and was never threatened for the remainder of the game.

Junior guard Chelsea Jacoby, a Royal High graduate, finished with 24 points, four assists and four rebounds to lead CLU, which shot 57.6 percent from the field.

Sophomore guard Jessica Salottolo scored 18 points and sophomore forward Haley Hodgson recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

"I think we read their defense really well and knew what they were planning to do," Jacoby said. "If they overplayed us, we went back door and our transition offense was really working well today."

The Regals wore pink-tinged shooting shirts, socks and headbands. But it was not for Valentine's Day. They were holding their annual Play4Kay Game to raise awareness for breast cancer.

"It's great to play for something bigger than just basketball," CLU head coach Lindsay Goldblatt said. "I think everyone knows someone touched by cancer and our players know some people who would do anything to be in our position and be able to play out here."

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