A 28-28 halftime score turned into a 21-point deficit for the
Caltech Men's Basketball Team against visiting Whitman College on
Tuesday night in the Braun Athletic Center. After a dead even first
half, one in which Caltech's defense held Whitman's high scoring
offense to just 22.9 percent field goal shooting, the Beavers were
unable to capitalize as they fell, 78-63.
Whitman's "system" -- a philosophy that entails full court
pressure the entire game and a run-and-gun style offense --
gradually crept up on Caltech. The Missionaries were able to
convert four 3-pointers in the second stanza after shooting 1 for
14 from behind the arc in the first session. Though the Beavers
were able to trim the lead in the closing minutes, they never came
closer than 9 (46-55 with 10:29 left in the game) after a Mike
Edwards layup.
To begin the game, Caltech grabbed a 10-4 lead after forcing 4
Whitman turnovers. The defensive plays set the stage and aided the
Beavers to holding the Missionaries to a season low first half. The
action went back and forth as the half featured 6 ties and 9 lead
changes. For Caltech, Edwards and Alex Runkel got off to hot starts
with a combined 14 points on 6 for 9 shooting from the field. The
Beavers took advantage of several open court opportunities and
converted a combined 11 for 16 field goals (68.8 percent) without
attempting a 3-pointer.
The pace favored Caltech in the first 20 minutes; however, it
swung to the visitors as they managed to race away with 50 second
half points. Though they only shot 37.5 percent in the second
period, 16 free throws helped their cause. The game closed with a
total 66 fouls called, with 3 foul outs for Caltech and 1 for
Whitman.
The Beavers shot at a 51.3 percent clip for the game and blocked
7 shots, 4 courtesy of Ryan Elmquist. Elmquist turned in his first
double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 boards while
Edwards scored a game high 21 points with 2 blocks. Runkel totaled
12 points, 6 boards, and 2 steals. Collin Murphy and Ethan Boroson
combined for 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals.
Whitman came into the contest averaging 91 points per game, with
the starting backcourt averaging 28. The Beaver defense held the
guard duo to 8 points each on 2 for 16 shooting from the field.
Caltech will host Fontbonne this Saturday at 5:30 pm.
GO TECH!!!
BOXSCORE
