PASADENA, Calif. -- Last Saturday, the Caltech Men's Basketball program held it's fifth annual alumni event in Braun Gymnasium. Fourteen former players returned to campus to participate in the day's festivities, highlighted by a thrilling varsity game against the top team in the SCIAC.The alumni game was competitive as always, though the white team fell 20 points behind the black team after the first twenty minutes. White, in true Beaver fashion, came roaring back in the second half and cut it's deficit to five with under five minutes remaining. Black, however, fended off the comeback and prevailed, 86-76.
Black was led by Scott Davies, who set an alumni event record with 33 points on 13 of 21 shooting from the field. Davies led a balanced effort with 7 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Wei Li added 17 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals. Dave Zito and Bryan Hires scored 14 points each. Ben Turk and Jeremy Leibowitz contributed in Black's victory.
Davies took home MVP honors for his explosive scoring and record-setting day.
In the nightcap, the alums were treated to a spectacular performance from the varsity team as Caltech battled CMS to the regulation wire and forced an exciting overtime period. Claremont, the 4-time defending league champs, came into the game with a 7-1 conference record but Caltech battled every possession and gave itself several opportunities to take a two-possession lead. When Caltech found itself down two points with four seconds remaining in the second half, Bryan Joel nailed a pair of free throws to tie and extend the contest.
Caltech placed four players in double figures led by Joel's 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Michael Edwards added 14 points while Andrew Hogue and Kc Emezie each tallied 13. Alex Runkel set a program record with 7 steals to go along with his 10 rebounds. The Beavers beat the lead-leading rebounding Stags on the boards, 42-38.
