CLAREMONT, Calif. – The ClaremontMuddScripps men's water polo team came into Saturday's afternoon match-up against Caltech as the nation's top ranked team and after a tight first half, the Stags pulled away for an 18-5 victory.

The home squad scored the game's first four goals but the Beavers responded by scoring three of the frame's final four goals to trail 5-3 after eight minutes. Caltech got goals from Daniel Sexton, Tim MacDonald and Zach Gomez to stay in the contest.

After a ClaremontMuddScripps goal to start the second period, Jack Blackwood responded for Caltech 13 seconds later to keep the Beaver deficit at three goals. The period didn't close well for visitors as they gave up two goals and couldn't convert on an extra man attack as they found themselves down 8-4 after the first two stanzas.

The Stags came out of the locker room with an offensive explosion as they posted a 5-0 scoring edge in the third period to take a 13-4 lead heading into the final frame. Adam Khan put Caltech's lone goal on the board in the fourth period as the Stags posted a 5-1 scoring edge to close out the victory.

Ari Wes recorded a hat trick for ClaremontMuddScripps to lead all goal scorers on the afternoon.

Thomas Heavey had five blocks in goal for Caltech.