CLAREMONT, Calif. -- The No. 11 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team posted a 93-62 win over Caltech in SCIAC match-up at Ducey Gym.
The Stags nailed 54.2 percent (32-of-59) of their shots from the field, including a 50 percent (6-for-12) effort from behind the arc, to aid in their efficient win. The home squad controlled the paint as they posted a 38-19 rebounding edge while holding a 46-18 advantage in points down low.
During the opening minutes of the game the home squad took a double figure lead at 15-5. However, Caltech (5-16, 0-10 SCIAC) quickly responded with an 8-0 scoring run to bring their deficit down to 15-13 with 11:02 left until halftime.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (20-1, 9-1 SCIAC) proceeded to get their lead back to double figures by scoring 12 unanswered points capped off by a lay-up by all-conference performer Chris Bless with 8:00 remaining. The Beavers continued to fight hard against one of the nation's top teams and got within six points (30-24) after a Bryan Joel three-pointer with 4:56 on the game clock. The Stags finished the frame by scoring 17 of the final 24 points to take a 47-31 lead into the locker room.
The SCIAC leaders never let the Beavers within 15 points in the final 20 minutes of action in keeping their unblemished home record.
After hitting 12 of their 22 shots in the field half (54.5 percent), Caltech couldn't keep up the solid shooting numbers in the final stanza as they made 10 of 27 shots (37 percent) from the floor in the final half.
Joel had a team high 14 points to pace the Beavers offense. The first year tied his career high with four made three-pointers during his 28 minutes on the floor. The duo of Pan Wang and Mike Paluchniak came off the bench to contribute 13 and 10 points respectively.
Mani Maceira tallied a game high 14 points in 21 minutes for the Stags.