Concordia on Defensive in Victory Over Whittier

Defense was the key for Concordia as it held Whittier to 28% shooting from the floor and snapped the Poets’ five-game winning streak with a 77-68 victory Saturday in a nonconference game at Concordia.

Eagle center Joey Busch scored a career-high 20 points on eight of 11 shooting, with 13 rebounds and five blocks in the victory. Josh Giles added 15 points and Paul Bettencourt 12 for the Eagles (5-3).

The Eagles went into halftime with a 37-30 lead by holding the Poets to eight of 31 shots (25%) from the floor, including three of 11 shots from the three-point line.

The Poets (5-2) were led by guard Semir Sarkar, who scored 15 points on four of 10 shooting.

In nonconference men’s basketball:

Cal Lutheran 88, Pacific Christian 57--Josh Whelihan scored 21 points and Axel Margaritha added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Pacific Christian (3-15). Mike Dunlaney scored 18 points for Cal Lutheran (3-2), which outscored the Royals, 47-26, in the second half.

Chapman 76, Claremont 64--Nate Strange scored 19 points and Derek Mitchell added 13 for Chapman. John Molise had 18 points for Claremont (6-4). The Panthers are 7-6.

In nonconference women’s basketball:

Chapman 67, Occidental 59--Lindsay Brown scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Chapman. Anna Celaya scored 21 points for Occidental (1-4). The Panthers improve to 5-0.

Southern California College 75, Trinity Christian College (Neb.) 43--Elaine Whittemore scored 16 points and Marisa Emde had 15 for SCC (4-3). Olivia Schalten had 10 points for Trinity (6-3).