College Basketball : Play Down Stretch Carries Westmont

Westmont College took over a tight game in the final five minutes Tuesday night to defeat Southern California College, 85-74, in a Golden State Athletic Conference men’s basketball game at Southern California College.

The victory moves Westmont (17-8, 8-3) into first place, a game ahead of Southern California (14-13, 7-4).

Mike Kelly, formerly of Mater Dei High School and Orange Coast College, had 5 rebounds and 6 points in the final five minutes and Curt Anders added 6 points in that time. Kelly and Anders both finished with 16 points and Dan Swanner 12. Bryan Kelly led all scorers with 17 for Westmont.

The game was tied at half, 34-34, and the largest lead by either team was six. But Southern California College’s shooting went cold in the second half, and Westmont (17-8, 8-3) controlled the boards.

Southern California College shot 53% from the floor in the first half but slipped to 41% in the second. Westmont shot 63% for the game and outrebounded Southern California College, 38-26.

Phil Hill scored 18 to lead Southern California College and Todd Dixon and Mike Lightfoot added 15 and 10.

In a nonconference men’s game:

Pomona-Pitzer 68, Pacific Christian 54--David Todd scored 15 points, Rick Duque 14 and James Johnson 13 for Pomona-Pitzer at Cal State Fullerton. The loss ends Pacific Christian’s nine-game winning streak. Brian Kaiser scored 16 and Burton Lalk 13 for Pacific Christian (27-5).

Pomona Pitzer led, 31-24, at the half. Pacific Christian cut it to 49-47 with six minutes left but could not get closer.