BOX SCORE

WHITTIER, Calif. - The Lewis & Clark men's basketball team earned a 72-67 win over the Whittier Poets on Sunday evening led by a double-double from junior James Hollins.

The win improves the Pioneers to 2-1 on the season. The Poets start the season 0-1 following the loss.

Hollins scored a team-high 18 points in the win, while also pulling down a game leading 11 rebounds. Ross Erickson was one point shy of tying Hollins, knocking down 17 points, while senior PJ Taylor scored 13 in the Pio win. Erickson also collected eight rebounds and came up with a team-leading four steals.

Drew Menez of Whittier led all players with 21 points, while Nathan Easterman scored 15 points.

The first half began as a back and forth battle with neither side earning a large lead until a jumper by Erickson and a three pointer by Hollins put Lewis & Clark ahead 19-13 with 10:59 to play in the half.

Two Poet jumpers brought them within two before Drew Menez drained two free-throws to tie the contest at 19-19. The Pioneers quickly recaptured a lead with Donato Perconti hitting a three pointer to give Lewis & Clark a seven point advantage with 4:16 on the clock.

Whittier pulled within three points on a Menez jumper two minutes later, but Perconti increased the Pio lead back to five points on two successful free-throws.

A quick jumper by Willie Membane in the opening seconds of the second half and a Easterman layup pulled the Poets within a point of the Pios. Lewis & Clark responded with back-to-back three pointers by Taylor and two made free-throws from Hollins to earn a 38-29 advantage.

Brandon Thomas, who subbed in shortly after the Hollins free-throws, took the Poets on his shoulders chipping away at the Pioneer lead with seven straight points that pulled Whittier within two at 41-39.

The Poets tied the game at 41-41 moments later tying the contest for the fifth time. Whittier then went on to capture a five point, 54-49, lead with 5:59 left on an Easterman layup.

Facing their first deficit of the half, the Pioneers remained calm and forced six Poet turnovers in the final three minutes of action. During that time the Pios hit a jumper and a three pointer to tie the game at 56-56. Hollins recaptured the lead for the Pioneers with 3:44 remaining on a jumper, followed quickly by a steal from Perconti. Lewis & Clark would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way, holding on for a five point victory.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. when they host Eastern Oregon.