WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Whitman College men's basketball team kicked off their 2025-26 home slate with a competitive and well-earned 89-84 win over Bethany College on Saturday afternoon at the Sherwood Center.
Ali Efe Isik paced the Blues (1-1) with a team-best 21 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Jacob Fotu dropped 18 points of his own and Milos Sarenac dominated on both ends with 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Jayden Jackson led all scorers for the Bison (0-3) with 23 points.
The opening half set the tone for an entertaining contest. Both teams came out with energy, trading leads repeatedly as the pace quickened. Whitman's offense found its rhythm behind the efforts of Efe Isik, who worked both inside and out for early points, while Fotu's touches in the paint and sharp transition play provided a spark.Â
Bethany kept the game tight, capitalizing on a series of Whitman turnovers and answering almost every Blues run. By halftime, Whitman nursed a slim 39-36 advantage, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
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After halftime, the game's intensity ratcheted even higher. Bethany surged early in the second half, using a 9-0 run to grab a quick lead and forcing the Blues to dig deep. Whitman responded through tough rebounding and timely baskets, with Efe Isik again making his presence known and Sarenac hitting clutch free throws under pressure.Â
The final minutes turned into a back-and-forth battle, each possession critical. Whitman's defense stepped up down the stretch, forcing turnovers and cleaning the glass at key moments. With seconds winding down, the Blues hit important free throws and snagged imperative rebounds, putting the game out of reach and sending the home crowd home happy.
The Blues close out November with road matches at CalLu, Pomona-Pitzer and Caltech.
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