PASADENA, Calif. — A  Wednesday night SCIAC match would turn out to be a thriller as Cal Lutheran men's basketball saw a late offensive surge led by Palmer Chaplin, but the Kingsmen fell short in a 64-61 loss to the Beavers. 

Cole Thomas led the way with 16 points while Chaplin was next with 14 and Miles Houston tallied 12. Houston added a team high eight rebounds and Chaplin dished out a team high five assists. Jarrett Powers was next with eight points and recorded seven rebounds and two steals.

The Kingsmen would face the Beavers for the second time of the season, looking to redeem themselves in an earlier meeting that resulted in a loss at home. The Kingsmen surely looked to return the favor and get an upset win over the Beavers. 

It was a hard fought defensive battle in the first five minutes, that would keep the score at 6-5 in favor of the Beavers. But as both sides began to warm up the teams began to exchange buckets repeatedly for the remainder of the half. 

The score going into half would be 30-27 in favor of the Beavers. Thomas was leading the Kingsmen and had eight points, on 50-percent shooting from the field, along with three rebounds. 

Coming out of half, both sides continued to shoot the ball well. However, the Beavers began to pull away around the middle of the second half. Earning their largest lead over the Kingsmen at 14 points with less than 7 minutes left to play. 

The Kingsmen then put forth an offensive run of 11-3 to pull within seven points with a minute left. On the next offensive possession, Thomas knocked down a three to put them within four points. 

Chaplin kept the points coming and dropped eight points in a span of 21 seconds as he delivered clutch shots which tied the game for the Kingsmen, and the score was tied at 61.

Thomas would foul on the ensuing inbound, causing him to foul out, and put the Beavers at the line for two free throws. After unsuccessful offensive possessions for the Kingsmen, the Beavers held on for a 64-61 win.

The Kingsmen will play their final game at home for senior night against Whittier on February 25 at 7 p.m. 

Box Score: CIT 64, CLU 61
CLU Instagram: @clusports
Sport IG: @cluhoops
CLU Twitter: @CLUSports
Sport Twitter: @CLUmBasketball
CLU Facebook: @clusports
Hashtags: #clusports #ownthethrone #goregals #gokingsmen #theSCIAC #ncaad3

Release by Antonio Welch, Sports Information Assistant; Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director