LAS VEGAS, NEV.- The Edgewood College Eagles men's basketball squad kicked off the D3Hoops.com Classic Saturday night. They faced off with the Whittier Poets in nonconference action. The Eagles (2-9) battled back late to close within five, but the Poets (8-2) emerged victorious 85-79.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Whittier took an early 8-2 edge at 17:26 after a free throw and a three. The Poets would control the next 8:43, building up to a 23-11 lead at 8:43 as they continued to shoot well beyond the arc. Whittier led by as much as 18, but a late 12-4 sprint by Edgewood College sent them into the locker room down 40-30.
 
- The Poets continued to roll for most of the second half, building up to an 18-point lead at multiple points. The Eagles would not go quietly into the night, a trio of made threes fueling a 13-3 sprint over 2:16 to close within five with 32 seconds left. Clutch free throws would help Whittier clinch the victory.
 
- Edgewood College hung tough, their bench outscoring the Poets 40-to-17. The Poets had a 29-to-17 edge in fast break points.
 
- Matt Kirk scored 17 points and earned a pair of steals. He shot five-of-seven beyond the arc.
 
- Drew Houtakker posted 16 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
 
- Danny Mulcare and Payton Bowser scored in double-digits with 13 and 10 points respectively.
 
- Aamari Smith led all scorers with 27 points. Andrew Milto recorded 20 points.
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kirk's 17 points were a personal best as an Eagle.
 
- The meeting was the first between the two programs.
 
UP NEXT
The Eagles will wrap up their D3Hoops.com Classic tomorrow. They will face off with Wittenberg in Las Vegas, Nev. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PST.