CMS Men's Basketball Celebrates Senior Day with Key Home Win over Redlands

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Seniors Josh Angle (25 points) and Rhett Carter (17 points, 18 rebounds) had big performances on their Senior Day, and got support from first-year James Frye (18 points, 8-8 FG) as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team picked up a key 79-64 home win over Redlands on Wednesday evening at Roberts Pavilion.

With the win, CMS moves to 21-3 overall and 13-2 in the SCIAC, clinching no worse than the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and a home semifinal next Friday night. The Stags will also play for at least a share of the regular season title when they meet Pomona-Pitzer (13-1 with a game against Cal Lutheran on Saturday) on Tuesday night at Voelkel Gymnasium. 

Carter had a double-double in the first half alone with 11 points and 10 rebounds to stake CMS to a narrow 41-36 lead at the break. CMS led by as many as 13 in the first half, but Redlands was able to close the gap late in the half with its pressure defense. 

CMS took advantage of the halftime break to replenish its energy and push the lead back up to 10 right away on a Frye basket and an Angle three-point play. Carter had a lay-up and Angle knocked down a three-pointer to stretch the lead up to 53-38 with 14:59 left. 

Redlands had one last rally in it, getting the lead down to 59-53 with 9:55 left, but Carter answered with a jump shot and Angle hit two foul shots to get it back to 10. After Redlands got two points back, Frye hit a lay-up, Angle hit a three, and the lead stayed in double figures the rest of the way. 

Joining Angle and Carter in the Senior Day ceremonies were Joey Ganley, Kiran Kruse, Brian Kenyon, Justin Pratt and Jordan Hunt. Kruse finished with nine points, while Max McCalla had seven points, seven rebounds and five assists. 

CMS will have a bye on Saturday before closing out the regular season at Pomona-Pitzer on Tuesday with a SCIAC regular season title on the line.