THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Cal Lutheran men's basketball cut the lead to 52-46 with 8:05 left, but Claremont-Mudd-Scripps answered with a 13-2 run, in rout to winning the game 67-51 on Wednesday night.
The Kingsmen (3-15, 1-8 SCIAC) hung with the top team in the SCIAC for most of the game, only for the Stags (15-3, 7-2 SCIAC) to pull away late with clutch shooting.
Both teams were consistent from the field as CMS had a 46.3 shooting percentage and CLU recorded 41. The difference was from long range as the Stags shot 34.8-percent from three while CLU struggled, going 18.8.
The defenses from both teams forced the low scoring contest as Cal Lutheran committed 17 turnover and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps had 13.
The pressure from the defensive end was seen early on and Cal Lutheran had the slight lead, 13-11, after a Cole Thomas free throw. CMS answered on their next possession and CLU returned the favor the next trip down as Miles Houston made his layup.
The scoring went back-and-forth over the next few minutes as the game was tied three times. Many Kingsmen chipped in during the stretch as Logan McCullough converted a layup and Mike Shahan made a free throw.
With the score tied at 20, CMS used a quick 8-0 run and took the lead with 3:55 left in the half. CLU weathered the storm, but the Stags pushed the lead to double-digits and led 36-24 at the break.
CMS continued to build its lead in the second half and went up 51-35 with 11:58 left in the game. It was up the Kingsmen to make a move and they did just that as a three from Brooks Mallory and layup from Connor Cole cut the lead to single digits.
CLU continued to climb back in the game as Thomas converted a layup to make it 51-44. After a free throw from the Stags, Jarrett Powers found himself open for a two-point shot and the lead was down to two possessions.
At 52-46, the Stags had seen enough. CMS responded with the 13-2 run, taking an 18-point lead, their biggest of the game. With just 2:09 remaining, the run sealed the game as the Stags defeated the Kingsmen 67-51.
Thomas came off the bench to lead the Kingsmen with nine points, Mallory was next with eight and Houston had seven more. Thomas also led CLU with five boards and added two steals. Houston and Mallory helped provide the defense with two blocks each.
The Kingsmen remain home for their next contest and host Redlands on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Box Score: CMS 67, CLU 51
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director