The men's basketball team dropped a 99-87 match-up with Whittier College on Thursday night.

It was their first contest after taking a 14-day break from action for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Just under seven minutes into the game, the Poets built a double-digit lead on a Nick Demusis jumper, for an 18-8 lead. By the end of the first half, the Poets extended their lead to 55-34.

The Poets came out in the second half and pushed their lead to 71-41 just three minutes into the half. Whittier led by as many as 34 points, before the Golden Eagles finished the final 10 minutes of play, by outscoring the Poets 35-16.

Guard Isaiah Hawkins came off of the bench to lead the Golden Eagles in scoring with 20 points, while adding five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Ian Mozeleski added 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steal of his own. And Isaac Deese also scored in double-figures with 14 points.

The men's basketball team drops to 0-6 on the season. They will look to get into the win column on Tuesday night, when they travel to Lancaster, CA, for a non-conference match-up with West Coast Baptist College.