THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - After trailing by 15 points midway through the second half Cal Lutheran climbed all the way back to pull even with Pomona-Pitzer. However the Kingsmen were unable to take the lead as the Sagehens pulled away late to take a 61-56 decision.

Box Score: PP 61, CLU 56 - F

For the most part Aaron Van Klaveren was the Cal Lutheran first half offense scoring 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 at the foul line. He led all players in scoring and rebounding with six boards at halftime.

A halftime buzzer beating 3-pointer from Ryan Benson was the only other field goal make for the Kingsmen heading into the locker room. Despite their offensive woes the Kingsmen trailed by a manageable 27-16 deficit and were in need of another scoring option.

Over the opening minutes of the second half Cal Lutheran chipped away but never pulled closer than four points. The Sagehens balanced offensive attack provided several momentum shifting baskets which eventually gave the visiting squad a 45-30 lead midway through the second half.

Another CLU scoring option was necessary to mount any chance of coming back in Saturday's SCIAC opener. The call was answered by freshman Martin Flowers who poured in 25 of his game-high 26 points in the second half.

Leading 47-38 with seven minutes left Sagehen sophomore Jake Klewer missed an uncontested lay-up that would have pushed the advantage back to double figures. In turn CLU went on a scoring run that pulled the Kingsmen even with 5:13 remaining in regulation.

Cal Lutheran's defense held Pomona-Pitzer to just one made field goal over the final eight minutes of regulation. Despite that the Kingsmen struggled themselves down the stretch making 1-of-6 shots while committing a pair of turnovers after tying the game at 48-48.

Evan Zahiser provided the lone Sagehen bucket over the last eight minutes. The score came at the five minute mark which gave the visiting side a 50-48 lead and one they would hold on to until the final buzzer.

Despite second half foul trouble Van Klaveren finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out. Flowers knocked down 10-of-11 free throws in compiling his career-best 26 points. Michael Cohen led Pomona-Pitzer with 14 points and four assists in 24 minutes off the bench. Teammate John Weiss finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead the starting lineup.

Cal Lutheran (4-7, 0-1 SCIAC) will be on the road Wednesday, Jan. 11, to face Whittier (8-4, 0-1 SCIAC).