PASADENA, Calif. — It was a battle of the Beavers on Tuesday afternoon as Caltech hosted Buena Vista University for a 2 p.m. duel at Braun Gymnasium. The matchup served as the penultimate non-conference contest for Caltech, who will face one more non-SCIAC opponent before taking on conference foes in 2024.

The guests scored the first points of the afternoon, though Caltech scored its first bucket a few minutes later as first-year wing-forward Ryan Hu (Bellevue, Wash. / Newport) found first-year guard-wing Andrew Koclanes (Denver / Colorado Academy) for a basket near the rim. Junior forward Riley Wood (Richmond, Va. / St. Christopher's School) drew contact on a shot attempt two possessions later, where he connected on both free throws.

A few minutes later, sophomore guard Noah Hicks (Oxford, Ga. / George Walton Academy) splashed a 3-pointer after getting the feed from first-year forward Matt Cantor (Bayside, N.Y. / Townsend Harris). Hicks made it two field goals in a row as he drained a pull-up jumper on the following possession.

The two squads continued to battle as the first half continued; Hu downed a jumper at the 2:55 mark to keep Caltech within seven.

Caltech notched the first points of the second half as senior guard Leo Williams (Southfield, Mich. / Wylie E. Groves) swished a jump shot. Hicks earned another midrange bucket a few minutes later.

The Institute fought hard as the second half went on though it was the visiting Beavers who pulled ahead to nab the victory.

Caltech wrapped up the game with nine steals to Buena Vista's six; they made 11 free throws to the visitors' four. The Institute collected 10 offensive rebounds.

Hicks led all players in scoring with 19 points; the second-year connected on six field goals, going 3-for-5 from deep and 4-for-5 from the charity stripe.

Wood led the game in steals, with three. Cantor, Wood and first-year wing-forward Pranit Gunjal (Newark, Del. / Newark Charter) led the team in rebounds, with six a piece. Cantor led the team with a career-high three assists.

Head coach Dr. Oliver Eslinger and the group will now focus on the Saints of Emmanuel College who come to Pasadena for a 2 p.m. clash on Saturday, Dec. 30 at Braun Gymnasium. Cheer on the Beavers in person or follow along online at gocaltech.com/coverage.

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