Box Score By Jordan Wyatt
December 7, 2013

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Senior forward C.J. Miller (24 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals) surpassed 1,000 career points in a Warrior Uniform as Westmont Men's Basketball (7-2) took down the Bobcats of UC Merced (1-10) 84-59 Saturday night to win their sixth game in a row.

"It was an apropos night for C.J. to break 1,000 points – especially since he already had 20 by halftime," laughed Westmont head coach John Moore. "I'm really proud of the storied basketball tradition of the Miller family. He and his father Mark (1,671 – second all-time) comprise the only father-son combo to score over 1,000 points in a Westmont uniform."

C.J. Miller now sits at 1,023 career points. This ranks him thirty-sixth all-time at Westmont. The Warriors set up shop inside the paint from the get-go, attempting to use their height advantage to set a dominating tone. The 6-7 Miller and 6-9 junior center Daniel Carlin (16 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks) were given repetitive looks, especially as the Warriors struggled from beyond the arc during the opening 10 minutes (1-for-5).

"Going into tonight's game, we wanted to really rebound well," explained Moore. "One of our goals was to outre bound (UC Merced) by 20 – we ended up at 15. Daniel really took this to heart. For him to have 16 points and 14 rebounds is a sign of things to come. He really could be a proverbial double-double guy for us."

Even with Westmont's starting point guard, senior Brendan Hill (2 rebounds, 4 assists), sedentary the majority of the first 20 minutes after picking up two quick personal fouls, the Warriors were still able to steadily build an advantage. Leading the charge were Miller and Carlin, totaling 20 and 11 points respectively in the opening half. Additionally, both players were just one rebound shy of a double-double at the half – nine each.

After the Bobcats tied the game up at 14 all, the Warriors rattled off a 17-2 run, establishing a lead that would not be erased. With their towering veterans at the helm of the offensive attack, Westmont secured an impressive halftime lead (21), by way of a 43-22 score line.

To begin the second half, redshirt freshman guard Billy Keller (8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) sunk three straight free-throws and Miller contributed a jumper and a dunk to lead the Warriors on a 7-0 run, advancing the score to 50-22. Commanded by forward George Idehen (11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals), the Bobcats were motivated to hang around, fighting diligently to keep the game respectable in the second half.

However, for the second time in as many games, Westmont's reserves delivered valuable minutes and maintained the Warrior advantage up until the final buzzer.

Westmont doesn't play again until next Saturday, December 14, when they face Simpson College (Calif.) (1-10). That game is at home in Murchison Gymnasium and starts at 7 o'clock. Then, the team heads to Phoenix, Arizona to take part in a tournament hosted by Golden State Athletic Conference cohort Arizona Christian.