Caltech started slowly, but overcame an early deficit after 3 minutes of play to forge ahead 14-7. After that modest bulge, neither team ever led by more than 4. With 2:45 remaining Caltech senior Jordan Carlson left the game with a deep gash over one eye sustained while attacking the basket. That basket was the last basket of the half for either team; Caltech led 31-29.
Given the amount of blood, Caltech was buoyed when Carlson returned to the bench just prior to the resumption of play for the second half. His basket at the 18:00 minute mark put the Techers in the lead for all but the final 15 seconds of the regulation. At one point, Caltech built the margin momentarily to 9. Farlough, Tim Fanning, Matt Mesaros, and Marcus Gibson all contributed to a huge effort by the Poets to chip away. Trailing by 5, Gibson's 3 with 30 seconds reduced the lead to 2. On the ensuing possession, Whittier forced a turnover in the backcourt and hit yet another 3 by Mesarsos to lead by 1 with 15 seconds remaining. After a time-out, Caltech was able to get to the rim and freshman Travis Haussler was fouled with 1.7 on the clock. He made 1 of 2 and overtime was next.
In the extra period, each team struggled to make a defensive stand. 5 ties and 5 lead changes later Whittier was the victor. Sophomore Mike Underhill for Caltech was fouled on a three-point attempt with 33 seconds left and the hosts trailing by 2; he made 2 of the 3 setting the stage for Farlough's decisive shot.
Farlough finished with 22 points followed by Gibson with 21 and Mesaros with 20. For Caltech, Jordan Carlson scored 25 with 8 rebounds; he did not play the final 3 minutes of regulation and the overtime as he fouled out. Senior Day Ivy fouled out in the next minute for the Techers leaving them to play 7 minutes without their 2 best players. Sophomore Bryan Hires scored 22 with 12 rebounds, and freshmen Matt Dellatorre and Travis Haussler added 15 and 10 respectively.
Senior Jordan Carlson passed the career 1000 point mark in his third season for Caltech.
Caltech finishes at Occidental Thursday. Whittier closes the seaon at home against La Verne.