The Pomona-Pitzer Men’s basketball team (11-2) has risen to the top of the conference once again this season and clinched a share of yet another SCIAC title with their 92-71 road victory over Cal Lutheran University (7-6). Jeremaiah Martin ’01 had another impressive offensive performance, scoring 30 points on 11-14 shooting from the field in only 22 minutes of play. He is being touted by some as "the best player in the conference."

Martin commented on the parity throughout the SCIAC this season: "The talent throughout the conference is so equal that what it’s really come down to this season is who executes better and works harder. Any team could win a game on any given night." Martin has been a major factor in propelling the Hens ahead of those equally talented SCIAC opponents.

Joseph Koch Jason Howie ’01 drives to the lane in Pomona-Pitzer’s 80 -40 victory over Cal Tech last Saturday.

The Cal Lutheran Kingsmen, obviously confident after last week’s one-point victory over Claremont-Mudd, came out strong against the Sagehens and hung with them for the first half of play. The crowd presence in the tiny Cal Lutheran gymnasium was a factor from the start. On one side of the gym were packed bleachers and on the other a full stage, with curtains and all, upon which many fans perched for lack of anywhere else to sit. The crowd was obviously hungry for another upset.

Once again, however, the Sagehens stuck to their game plan in a tough atmosphere and kept a small lead even as the home team gained momentum. As the second half wore on, the Hens, a deeper and better-conditioned squad, pulled away from the Kingsmen, who were reduced to firing desperation three-pointers with around five-minutes to go in the game. The Hens stifling defense, and the Kingsmen lack of execution on both sides of the ball, led to a late Pomona-Pitzer push. This surge was initiated by two three-pointers from point-guard Dylan Nachand ’01, and a number of nice slashing moves from a Pippenesque Tad DeWalt ’01.

After the game, Cal Lutheran head coach Rich Rider, obviously disappointed by the loss, said: "We’re not 100% right now and we just couldn’t keep up with them. I’m not going to make any excuses though. They knocked down the shots they need to. They’re a very nice team."

The victory at Cal Lu was a perfect way to prepare for the CMS game, which was not completed by press time. The Cal Lutheran coach, who has coached against both teams in the past week, commented on the upcoming battle: "It’s going to be a heck of a match between CMS and Pomona-Pitzer. I’d say it will be determined by homecourt [advantage]."

The truth of the matter is that this game is a ‘must win’ for the Stags. CMS needs to win here at Pomona in order to get a share of the SCIAC championship. If they win, the Sagehens and Stags will split the title, and the Stags will receive an automatic bid to go to the Division III playoffs. If the Hens win it, they go to the playoffs, win sole possession of yet another SCIAC championship and keep their bragging rights for next season in what continues to be a vicious rivalry between two great programs.