By Jarred Davis
November 20, 2018
 
(FULLERTON, Calif.) #23 Westmont Men's Basketball (5-1) shot the lights out in their final game of the Hope Classic Tuesday night, defeating the Sentinels of Nebraska Christian (3-5) by a score of 103-79. The Warriors shot 61 percent from the field and finished with five players in double figures.
 
Sophomore guard Kyle Scalmanini led the Warriors with 19 points while recording eight assists and six rebounds. Maxwell Hudgins continued his stellar play fresh off his 21-point career-high last night and added 15, making 3 of 4 shots from long range.
 
"I really like the way Kyle Scalmanini continues to play basketball, I loved his passing today," said Westmont head coach John Moore.
 
Gyse Hulsebosch and Cade Roth both contributed 13 points. Hulsebosch also had four assists and five rebounds while Roth made 2 of 5 shots from three-point distance and hauled in four rebounds.
 
Nebraska Christian jumped out to an early 9-0 lead to start the game, but the Warriors stayed resilient and countered with runs of their own. Westmont then went on to close the first half with a (50-26) run, holding a 15-point advantage at the break (50-35).
 
In the second half, the Warriors maintained the same mindset and outlasted the Sentinel's with phenomenal bench play and defensive intensity.
 
"I thought our defense in the second half was quite strong," added Moore on his team scoring 19 points off turnovers.
 
The second unit for Westmont ultimately proved to give Nebraska Christian a hard time. Matthew Schmidt scored 10 points on 4 of 5 shooting, while Desean Scott and Matthew Ramon added eight points each.

"Desean Scott just keeps getting better and better," said Moore. "He seems to get at least one dunk every game, he got another one tonight."
 
With 4:19 remaining in the second half, the Warriors extended their largest lead of the game to 29 points (94-65) after Roth converted two free throws.
 
"Twenty-seven assists total is a sign of us sharing the ball," said Moore. "Our shooting percentage was off the charts and our wings were getting very good shots."
 
Jordan Spaschak played a huge role in moving ball, finishing with eight assists and one steal.
 
The Warriors will now be off for nine days. Thursday, November 29, marks Westmont's first Golden State Athletic Conference road trip, where they will play in Phoenix against Arizona Christian (6-0). Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.