In the season opener for both teams, the Caltech men's basketball squad outscored visiting La Sierra 32-19 over the final 14 minutes, but it wasn't enough as the guests held on for a 79-64 victory.

The game opened with neither team able to take command until an opening 3-pointer by senior guard Matt Dellatorre. From that point, the Beavers either led or kept the score tied until the 10:00 minute mark. After a lay-up by senior center Travis Haussler put the hosts in front 20-17, the Eagles went on an 24-8 run that saw them take a 41-28 lead into halftime. Each team shot better than 42 percent in the first stanza, though Caltech had 16 turnovers.

The Eagles extended their lead at the start of the second half, and pushed the margin to 28 (60-32) with 13:43 remaining. However, the Beavers didn't back down. Pressure defense, offensive aggressiveness, and an exuberant home crowd allowed them to pull back to within 15. Caltech forced 11 La Sierra turnovers in the final part of the game while the Beavers managed to take much better care of the ball themselves as they only relinquished eight possessions. Caltech went to the free throw line 28 times in the second half and finished 32-41 (78 percent) for the game.

Sophomore forward Ryan Elmquist scored a game high 29 points (20 in the second half) and was 17-of-19 from the charity stripe. He was also the leading rebounder with eight caroms. Dellatorre added 19 points, four rebounds, five steals, and a ferocious blocked shot. Haussler and senior forward Dan Cullina each recorded six boards.

Caltech will next take on Central College (Iowa) on Friday, November, 21 in another home contest.