WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Don't look now but Whitman College has a 19-game winning streak in the regular season dating back to last January. The Whitties are unbeaten in their nine games this season and are outscoring their opponents by an average 22.3 points per game. Monday's non-conference match-up was no different. The game was Whitman's final home contest before the New Year, as the Whitties protected home court in the 118-72 victory over the University of Redlands at the Sherwood Center.

When Redlands (4-3) took the court it seemed Whitman (9-0, 2-0) was going to need size to compete with the Bulldogs, which was not the case. In the opening minute Whitman center, Evan Martin was lost to injury, but the Whitties responded without a flinch, dominating the boards throughout the afternoon. Guard, Tim Howell finished with a game-high 27 points and Montez White followed with 18, including 12-12 from the charity stripe.

"It was tough losing Evan. He is our energy, he's our motor," Howell said. "But other guys stepped up. When one of our leaders goes down we still have to be 'next man up' mentality and that's what we did tonight."

Phil Chircu got the Whits started early, converting two of his first three shots. Eventually the team caught their rhythm offensively. Howell added seven points and Whitman forced seven Bulldog turnovers in the game's opening eight minutes. Midway through the first half the Whitties held a 17-point advantage, but Redlands gradually cut the lead to 11 over the next four minutes.

First year, White found a hole in the Bulldog defense that allowed him to get to the free throw line where he converted a perfect 8-8 in the first half. It looked like Redlands was going to cut the Whitman lead to single digits with three minutes remaining, but the Whit defense would not have it. Whitman's press intensified during the final minutes of the half, forcing two 10-second violations and pushing the lead to 19.

Whitman entered the half with a 56-38 lead. White (10 points), Howell (11) and Christian McDonald (13) all entered double-digit scoring and the Whitties out-rebounded the Bulldogs by seven. First year, Austin Butler led the game with five boards and three assists at the break and Whitman's 14 offensive rebounds led to 17 second-chance points.

The second half was similar to that of the first. Whitman controlled the tempo of the game and midway through the second half the lead had reached 34 for the Whitties who were in complete control. Redlands appeared to be flustered by the Whitman defense as Whitman's turnover margin reached plus-15.

Whitman held the Redlands starters to just 30 points and 37 percent shooting on the afternoon. Head coach Eric Bridgeland was extremely pleased with his team's performance. "I'm so proud. That was our best, most complete game of the year," Bridgeland said. "I'm really just proud of our guys."

Whitman is on the road until January 22. The team visits Thousand Oaks, Calif. on December 29 and 30 for the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Tournament. Conference play begins shortly thereafter on January 5 at Whitworth.