Despite 18 points from Dan Rasp and a double-double by Evan Haines, Westmont men’s basketball (11-9, 5-6) suffered a 77-75 double-overtime loss to San Diego Christian in El Cajon on Saturday night.
Haines tallied 10 points and 14 rebounds while Rasp pulled down seven boards. Blake Bender contributed 15 points and 7 rebounds to the Warrior cause.
San Diego Christian (7-13, 2-9) was led by James Green who tallied 25 points and 21 rebounds.
The Hawks jumped out to 12-3 lead in the first four minutes and Westmont did not catch-up until Andrew Schmalbach (10 points, 5 rebounds) hit a three-pointer with 3:36 to go in regulation to tie the game at 58. After a free throw by the Hawks’ Craig Jackson (6 points, 4 rebounds), Bender scored on a layup to gave the Warriors their first lead of the game (60-59) with 3:07 showing on the clock.
Schmalbach stretch the Warrior advantage to three with another layup but a free throw by Jesse LeBeau and a layup by Paul Wolf tied the game at 62 which was the final score at the end of regulation
The Hawks held a 70-68 lead in the first overtime period when Bender came up with a steal and passed to Rasp who slammed home a dunk to tie the score at 70-all with 45-seconds to go. The Hawks Kevin Dillon missed a three-pointer and Westmont’s Tyler Dutton came down with the rebound to give the Warriors a chance to score and win the game. But the Warriors could not get the ball to drop through the net, forcing the game into five more minutes of play.
After LeBeau give the Hawks a 72-70 advantage early on in the second overtime period, two free throws by Bender and a layup by Westmont’s Chris Jackson (2 points, 7 assists, 3 steals, 3 rebounds) put the Warriors up 74-72 with 2:25 to go.
Wolf scored on the next possession for the Hawks, tying the score at 74 with two minute remaining. Both teams missed their next two shots, but Wolf came up with an offensive rebound and put-back to take a 76-74 lead for the Hawks with 48 seconds left.
The Warriors brought the ball up the court, but Bender was called for an offensive charge, giving the Hawks the ball with 14 seconds to play. The Warriors’ Jackson fouled LeBeau who made one of two free throws, giving the Warriors a chance.
With five seconds left, Rasp was fouled by Dillon sending Westmont’s top scorer to the line with two shots, but with the Warriors three points down (77-74). Rasp made the first then intentionally missed the second to give the Warriors a chance to tie the game on a field goal. Jackson came down with the offensive rebound, but the Warriors could not come up with the score.
In other Golden State Athletic Conference play, #6 Fresno Pacific (17-4, 10-1) was upset at #22 California Baptist (16-4, 7-4) by a score of 82-77. Point Loma Nazarene (13-9, 6-6) recorded a 73-61 home victory over Hope International (4-14, 1-10) and Vanguard beat The Master’s (13-8, 5-6) by a score of 60-59 of the Mustang’s home court.
Fresno Pacific remains in first place in the GSAC with a three-game lead over four teams tied for second place with a 7-4 conference mark – California Baptist, Biola (16-5), Concordia (16-5) and #16 Azusa Pacific (14-7). Point Loma Nazarene holds sixth place in the conference standings with The Master’s and Westmont tied for seventh place, one-half game behind the Sea Lions. Vanguard is another game back in ninth.
Next up for the Warriors is a home game against Concordia on Thursday evening. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
