By Zach DeMarcus
November 4, 2017
 
(LOS ANGELES) Westmont Men's Basketball (2-0) defeated Occidental (0-1) by a score of 69-62 this evening. It was a second half defensive effort that ended up being the difference for the Warriors.
 
Occidental came out of the gate shooting extremely well. In the first half, they shot 58.6 percent from the floor, and lead by as much as seven – their largest lead of the game.
 
The score at half time was 38-33 in favor of Occidental.
 
Westmont head coach John Moore said, "I thought they really outplayed us in the first half. They executed well and made shots. We played a little casually in the first half."
 
Defensively, Westmont needed to improve going into the second half, and they did.
 
Noah Blanton came on the floor in the second half and was a key figure in helping Westmont turn around its defensive effort. "I thought Noah was the difference maker," said Moore. "Zac Jervis played exceptionally well too. Once we got Zac and Noah in the lineup together, I thought they were the difference makers."
 
Moore added, "We mixed up defenses in the second half which seemed to help a good deal. In the second half we played mostly zone. Our zone was much more effective than our man."
 
Jerry Karczewski and Sean Harman lead the scoring for the Warriors. They scored 17 and 16 respectively. Jervis was a rebound shy of a double-double. He finished 13 points and nine rebounds.
 
After Karczewski sank two free throws with 12:28 left in the second half, Westmont reclaimed the lead at 46-45 – after this they never looked back. Karczewski then hit a three to put Westmont up by four. Occidental stayed around for the rest of the game and came within one with eight minutes remaining, but Westmont was able to fend them off never giving up their lead.
 
The Warriors finished the game with a final score of 69-62.
 
Moore said, "In the second half, I think we played with much greater toughness and intensity. I think that's where the defense showed up – we were much better defensively. It's always good to go on the road, your first road game and be tested a little bit. Occidental sure tested us in the first half in particular."
 
The Warriors are back on the court next Tuesday, they play at La Sierra for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. Saturday, they return home to face University of Redlands with a 4:00 p.m. scheduled start.