WHITTIER, Calif. – The University of Redlands men's basketball team (9-3, 1-2) beat Whittier College on the road Saturday afternoon 86-72 as they picked up their first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) win of the season.

The Bulldogs scored seven unanswered points in the first 1:51 thanks to baskets coming from Kendrick Currey and Cameron Brown. The lead would reach double digits for the first time with 14:49 on the clock when they led by 11, 20-9, after Robert Power converted on a pair of free throws after he drew a foul after recording a steal.

As late as 7:46 Redlands led by 19, 40-21, as Ivan Belkin was assisted by Currey on a layup. Whittier, however, would get within 10 less than three minutes later as they scored nine-straight points.

The Poets then made it a seven-point game with 2:04 left in the half, but Josh Himel made a three and Khyree Armstead got to the line and made both as the Bulldogs took a 51-40 lead into the break.

The second half started like the first with the Bulldogs opening the half on a run, this time a 6-0 run as they led by 17 in the first two minutes. The double figure lead would be maintained until the Poets got within nine, 63-54, with 12:52 on the clock.

Whittier then would be within eight, 68-60, with 10:27 remaining, but Redlands would go on an 8-1 run to extend their lead to 15, 76-61. The Poets, though, would not go away as they scored five quick points in less than a minute as the Bulldog lead was only 10, 76-66, with 5:21 left to play.

It would end up being an anticlimactic end to the game as the Bulldogs ended the final five minutes on a 10-4 run as they would close out their 14-point win.

Redlands continued their balance offensively with five players in double figures and 10 different players scoring. Brown and Currey tied for a team-high with 13 points with Jhace Boston and Armstead with 11 apiece and Lucas Gordon chipping in 10. Armstead posted his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, a game-high.

The Bulldogs were good at the line, going 19-25 (76 percent), forced another 23 turnovers which led to 36 points off turnovers, and they held the Poets to only five made threes.

Next Wednesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. the Bulldogs will host Pomona-Pitzer inside Currier Gym in their first home game since December 2.