WHITTIER, Calif. - Cal Lutheran was playing catch up throughout most of Wednesday night's road conference tilt with Whittier. A strong second half start by the Poets left the Kingsmen behind for good and on the short end of a 74-57 score.

In back-to-back conference games the Kingsmen found themselves facing a 15-point deficit midway through the second half. After pulling even with Pomona-Pitzer within a five minute stretch on Saturday, Cal Lutheran was unable to make a serious run at overtaking Whittier.

After spotting the Poets nine points to begin the game Cal Lutheran answered back with nine of its own to tie the game. It would become a common first half theme with Whittier going on lengthy scoring runs and the Kingsmen immediately responding.

Cal Lutheran did well to keep pace and hold down the SCIAC's most prolific scoring team which averaged nearly 95 points per game heading into the evening. The Kingsmen scored the final seven points of the opening period and trailed by a slim 39-37 margin at the half.

CLU knocked down 12-of-16 first half free throws and forced the Poets to commit 11 personal fouls in the process. Martin Flowers and Aaron Van Klaveren combined to go 7-for-10 at the foul line and score 25 of the team's 37 first half points.

Again Whittier came out strong to open the half putting Cal Lutheran in a large hole. Over the first 10 minutes of the second half the Poets completed a 17-4 scoring run to lead by 15 points. It featured four Whittier 3-pointers including three courtesy of Brandon Thomas.

Unfortunately the Kingsmen were unable to chip away at the deficit as they did in the opening 20 minutes. Cal Lutheran earned just four second half trips to the foul line and made only one. After combining for 25 first half points, Flowers and Van Klaveren were held to a combined five in the second.

Teammate Mike Harris scored seven of his 12 points in the second half to lead the bench. He played 34 minutes and connected on 3-of-4 shots from the field and 5-of-6 free throws. Van Klaveren collected his eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cal Lutheran defense held Whittier to under 75 points for just the third time this season. It was the first occasion the Poets came out victorious after being held below that mark.

Three of Whittier's starting five scored in double figures led by 15 points from Nathaniel Easterman. Drew Menez finished with 13 points and Thomas with 11.

Cal Lutheran (4-8, 0-2 SCIAC) will remain on the road Saturday, Jan. 14, to face La Verne (3-10, 0-2 SCIAC).