Stags Run Away from Kingsmen with Big Second-Half

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team used a strong second-half to defeat the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen 76-57 on Saturday afternoon for their seventh-straight victory. Miles President (HMC) scored 16 points after the break and 19 in the game to lead four double-digit scorers for the Stags.

Kendrick Morris (CMC) scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season and his second in a row.

The first-half of Saturday's game started at a snail's pace. After 13 minutes of play the Stags trailed 11-10. CMS took their first lead of the game at 15-13 after Scott Lynds (CMC) made a three with just under six minutes left in the half. Lynds' three was part of a 10-4 CMS run that doubled the Stags' points in the game in less than a two-minute stretch.

During the run, President also made a three and Michael Scarlett (CMC) contributed four points to help put the Stags up 20-17 with 4:48 remaining in the half.

CMS and Cal Lu traded buckets over the final five minutes of the half and the Stags held a three-point, 27-24 lead into the half.

Coming out of the break, the Kingsmen kept it close for the first five minutes of the half. CMS stayed in the driver's seat, but their lead was cut down to just two at 36-34 following a layup from Kyle Ferreira 4:58 into the half.

Back-to-back threes from Miles President and Scott Lynds gave the Stags some breathing room and a jumper from President put CMS up 44-34. The quick 8-0 run helped CMS separate from the Kingsmen. The Stags grew their lead to 16 points at 56-40, following a bucket from Lynds with 8:32 remaining in the game.

After that point the CMS lead never dropped below 10 points and the Stags went on for the 76-57 victory.

With the win, CMS improves to 10-7 overall and 8-1 in the SCIAC. CMS has now claimed seven-straight wins and will next take the court at La Verne on Jan. 31 at 7:00 p.m.

Following their contest at La Verne, the Stags play one of their toughest stretches of the season, beginning with a game against SCIAC-leading Occidental on Feb. 3. CMS will then host rival Pomona-Pitzer on Feb. 7 before taking on Occidental again on Feb. 12 on the road.