Stags Hold On Against Poets To Remain In First Place

The Stags pulled out victory in a tense game Saturday night in Whittier, dominating the Poets for the first 30 minutes and holding on in the final seconds to win 77-74. With the win, the Stags remained tied with Cal Lutheran for first place in SCIAC with a 10-3 record. If the Stags beat Caltech on Tuesday, they will be the top seed in the SCIAC Tournament and host a semifinal Friday at 7:30.

The game followed what has become a recurring pattern of late: a slow start, followed by a CMS run and a narrow victory. Ten minutes into the game, the Stags held the Poets to six points, but only had eleven themselves. Jason Toney (JR, Yorba Linda) and Chris Blees (SO, Carmichael [pictured]) finished through fouls at the basket for the Stags’ points. The Poets came back to tie the game at 16-16, but the Stags went on a 12-2 run to take a ten point lead into halftime, 34-24. Conner Faught (JR, Agoura Hills) made two jumpers and a steal during the run.

The Stags stretched the lead in a contentious, foul and turnover-filled second half. Captain Austin Soldner (SR, Southlake, TX) made a layup and got fouled to give the Stags a comfortable 19 point lead with 6:23 to play.  Just when the game seemed out of reach the Poets started playing well, drawing fouls and making shots. They scored 26 points in the game’s final six minutes, but the Stags did just enough to hold on for victory. With eight seconds to go and the Stags leading 74-71, Soldner caught an inbounds pass and was fouled. The Poets faithful made as much noise as they could and Soldner made one of two. Poets guard David Hayashi sank a three-pointer to bring the Poets within one and give every home fan hope of a come-from-behind victory on Senior Day in Whittier.  It was too little, too late however as junior Ben Bergsma (Chandler, AZ) was fouled and made both free throws with three seconds to go and Michael Bagby (JR, Coupeville, WA) stole the inbounds pass to seal victory. Blees had 23 points and eight rebounds in the game and was one of four players to finish in double figures for the Stags. Soldner added 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Tuesday night’s game against Caltech will be Senior Night in Ducey Gym. The Stags will honor Austin Soldner and Tejas Gala for their hard work the past four years.