THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Cal Lutheran fell 57-46 at home to No. 11 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Wednesday night in conference play. The Kingsmen pulled within two points late in the second half before a 16-3 CMS scoring run sealed the game.

Box Score: CMS 57, CLU 46 - F

As was the case in the previous meeting this season, both team's go-to players were held in check. CMS leading scorer Chris Blees was held scoreless in four first half minutes and finished with just six points while dealing with foul trouble throughout the game. CLU's Aaron Van Klaveren scored a season-low nine points on 2-of-10 shooting from the floor.

The Stags bench filled some of the scoring void contributing 14 points. Kevin Sullivan led the effort with eight including six in the first half. Sullivan knocked down a pair of final minute first half 3-pointers. His halftime buzzer beater capped off a 14-3 Stags scoring surge to close out the final five minutes of the opening period.

Cal Lutheran's defense kept the game close for a majority of both halves. The Kingsmen trailed 13-10 with five minutes left in the opening period, and 43-41 with 6:43 remaining in regulation.

Trailing by 14 at the half, a quick 3-point counterpunch by Jayvaughn Nettles to open the second half brought the Kingsmen back to life. It was one of a season-high seven made triples and 24 attempted by Cal Lutheran in the game.

Nettles, Mike Harris, and Xavier Walton combined to make five second half 3-pointers. All three scored in double figures led by Harris with 11 points.

John Wilson's and-one three point play with just under seven minutes left cut the deficit to two points and peaked the Kingsmen momentum. However from then on it was the Stags who surged once again over the final minutes of the period.

From that point on CMS shot 4-for-4 from the floor and went 5-for-8 at the free throw line to score its final 14 points of the game. CLU went 1-for-9 from the floor, including 1-for-7 from three, and 2-for-2 at the charity stripe. It resulted in another major CMS scoring run to close out a half and seal Wednesday's result.

CMS' Mani Maceira scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the second half. He completed his double-double with 11 rebounds. Teammate Tyler Gaffaney finished with 13 points, to go along with a pair of assists, blocks, and steals.

Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (22-1, 11-1 SCIAC) clinched at minimum a share of the conference title. One win over its final two conference contests would secure an outright title and home court advantage throughout the SCIAC Post-Season Tournament.

Cal Lutheran (9-13, 5-7 SCIAC) will host Redlands (12-11, 7-5 SCIAC) in its final regular season home game of the 2011-12 season. Seniors Aaron Van Klaveren, Xavier Walton, and John Wilson will be honored during pre-game ceremonies.