Stags deliver season sweep over Caltech

PASADENA, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team (16-1, 9-0) grinded through a 66-61 victory over Caltech (5-14, 4-6) on Thursday night thanks to an offensive surge late in the game. The game was a tight affair that saw 10 lead changes, but several timely baskets within the final two minutes of the game was enough to help the Stags pull through.

Junior Michael Scarlett (CMC) dealt most of the damage for the CMS, scoring 28 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and handing out four assists. Freshman Miles President (HMC) showed grit on the defensive end, blocking three shots, grabbing six rebounds, and nabbing one steal. Nasser Al-Rayes dropped 20 points and swatted three shots for Caltech, while his teammate Brent Cahill chipped in 16 points.

Holding onto a 20-18 lead during the first half, the Beavers went on a brief 9-2 run, including five points from Al-Rayes, to extend their lead. With 3:49 left in the half, freshman Jeremy Horn (CMC) came up with a huge layup. In the following offensive possession, senior Riley Hall (CMC) found Scarlett beneath the basket for a layup to cut the deficit to five. The Stags trailed 35-30 at the half.

The Stags opened up the second half with a 7-0 run, including a layup and a 3-pointer from Scarlett, to take a 37-35 lead. However, the lead was short-lived as David Lebaron took it back for Caltech with a 3-pointer. The game turned into a back-and-forth affair as the two teams traded baskets until a 10-1 run from Caltech made it a six-point game. CMS managed to turn the game towards their favor by attacking the basket aggressively, and exploiting the anxious Beavers' defense. Scarlett opened up a run with a 3-pointer and Hall followed up by drawing a foul and making two free throws. Sophomore Evan Davis (CMC) also drew a foul and made two free throws, and Scarlett drilled a triple to help CMS regain the lead, 57-56. The Stags closed the game out in the final two minutes with a 7-1 run as the Beavers struggled to regain momentum.

CMS will return home on Saturday, Feb. 4 to host Redlands at 7 p.m. The Stags won the last meeting 75-59 back in Jan. 5 and will look to maintain its undefeated record in SCIAC play. 

Box Score

By Young Kim
Sports Information Assistant

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