WHITTIER, Calif. — Cal Lutheran men's basketball clinched a berth in the SCIAC Tournament as they took down the Whittier Poets 100-83 on Wednesday night. 

This win brings the Kingsmen's overall record to 11-12 and conference record to 8-7. It is the second straight year the Kingsmen have advanced to postseason play.

The Kingsmen had 50 points in the paint and an 83.8% free throw percentage. Leading the charge was Tommy Griffitts with 34 points and 10 rebounds. It was a career-high in points and his fourth double-double of the year.

Griffitts was followed by Devon Lewis who had 24 points and five steals. Ze'ev Remer dished out five assists and Stephen Davis had seven rebounds and four assists. 

Cal Lutheran opened the first half strong and took an early 6-0 lead. The Poets tried to keep up, but the Kingsmen kept their momentum going and were up 14-9. Whittier fought back and eventually had the lead at 25-22.

The Poets tried to keep their momentum, but the Kingsmen slowly closed the distance, 32-30. Whittier tried their best to hold Cal Lutheran back, but the Kingsmen managed to take back the lead, 40-38. The Kingsmen kept on coming, and at the end of the first half, were up 45-38. 

The Kingsmen carried that momentum into the second half and went up 47-38. Cal Lutheran kept going strong and pushed their lead to 59-45. The Poets finally began to gain some ground, 59-50, but the Kingsmen continued to hold the lead, 69-54. 

Whittier managed to build up some momentum as they raised their score to 69-60. The Poets tried to keep up, but the Kingsmen dominated the court as they increased their score to 80-64. Cal Lutheran never let Whittier back in the game and picked up the victory.

The Kingsmen's next game will be at Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m.

Box Score: CLU 100, WC 83
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