By Jacob Norling
December 21, 2024
 
(Santa Barbara, Calif.) Westmont Men's Basketball (5-7, 3-1 PacWest) could not overcome a 28-point first half deficit in an eventual 79-72 loss to the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks (5-4, 1-3 CCAA). The Warriors improved enough during the second half to make the final moments of the contest competitive, but the damage was already done in the club's final game of the calendar year.
 
Things got out of hand quickly on Saturday in a game that Westmont would never once carry a lead. Less than four minutes into the contest Westmont had already trailed by double-digits, and the deficit would only grow from there. During the first half Cal Poly Humboldt shot 54.3% from the field (19-35), while Westmont shot just 11 of 28 (39.3%). Making matters worse, in a game where Westmont had a noticeable size disadvantage, the club's three-point shooting could not bail them out. During the first 20 minutes of action, Westmont made just three of 13 looks from beyond the arc.
 
Westmont at one point trailed 40-15, and entered halftime trailing 46-28. At halftime, eight of Humboldt's nine active players had converted multiple field goals. For Westmont Adrian McIntyre made five of 10 in the first half, while the rest of the team shot six of 18.
 
The Warriors improved upon their luck in the second half by making seven of 18 from three-point range, while Humboldt came back down earth during the period. A big second half by De'Undrae Perteete and Jarrett Bryant, along with McIntyre's usual production, saw Westmont cut into the deficit just a little too late on Saturday.
 
The potential for excitement peaked with 33 seconds remaining when McIntyre knocked down a three-pointer to make it 75-71. After a pair of conversions from the free throw line for Humboldt, however, Westmont's comeback effort came to a close after a Warrior miss on their next possession in the game's final 20 seconds. In the end, Humboldt's loud first half was just enough to hold off the Warriors by a score of 79-73.
 
Individually, McIntyre closed out 2024 with another 23 points, while Perteete and Bryant finished with 15 and 13, respectively. Bryant also led Westmont with eight rebounds and five assists.
 
Westmont will return to action in 2025 in January, when the club begins their Hawaii road trip at Chaminade.