Playing one another in a playoff elimination game, it was Cal Lutheran who earned the fourth, and final playoff spot, ending Whittier's season in the process, with their 84-76 victory Tuesday evening.

Box Score: CLU 84, WC 76 - F

Prior to the start of the game, seniors Aaron Fisher and Greg Grimm were honored ina pregame ceremony as each were making their final appearance in Gilbert Arena as a student-athlete.

As special as the night already was, each team was looking to earn that final available playoff spot in the SCIAC Post-Season Tournament as the winner would continue to their season while they watched the other's season come to an abrupt end.

In a game that saw both teams try to shoot their way to victory, it was Grimm who led all scorers with 25 points, while teammates Jayvaughn Nettles, Jeremy Sulker-Hall and Aaron Van Klaveren each chipped in with 21, 14 and 11 points apiece.

Looking to avenge their loss suffered at the hands of the Poets in late January, Cal Lutheran quickly jumped out to an early 12-6 lead.

Looking to score on their fast break as often as possible in an attempt to push the pace of the game, Whittier would even the score at 12 apiece before earning their first lead of the evening.

In a game that saw five ties, and four lead changes, neither team would pull away from the other during the first half and traded baskets throughout the first 20 minutes of the game.

Finishing the first half shooting 62.5% from the field, Cal Lutheran took their five point halftime advantage and quickly began to build upon it as the second half progressed.

As well as Whittier shot in the second half - 18-39 from the field (46.2%) - Cal Lutheran was just able to connect on a higher percentage of their shots which fueled a 20-10 run during the latter part of the second half that virtually sealed the victory for CLU.

Forced to foul CLU to stop the clock in the final minutes of the game, the Kingsmen would sink eight of their final nine free throws to earn the final available playoff spot with their 84-76 win.

The Kingsmen will now travel to Redlands to face the Bulldogs in the SCIAC Post-Season Tournament Semifinal this Friday, tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Each team defeated the other on their respective home courts to earn a split of the regular season series.