SANTA BARBARA, CA – Menlo Men's Basketball put together a relentless comeback to defeat Westmont College, 67-64, in a high-stakes PacWest matchup at Murchison Gymnasium. The Oaks were trailing at halftime but continued to display resilience and determination, earning their second straight conference win against a formidable opponent.
Stars of the Game
Menlo's victory could not have been pulled off without the following.
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Landon Seaman led the charge with 24 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line. He added 4 rebounds and a steal, delivering clutch plays down the stretch.
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Kareem Rowe posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the Oaks on both ends of the court. Today's performance would account for Rowe's first double-double of the season after coming extremely close on multiple occasions.
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Nick Davidson contributed 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, including a pivotal three-pointer that shifted the momentum in Menlo's favor.
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Patrick Ryan chipped in 8 points and 7 rebounds, providing critical defensive stops during Westmont's final possessions.
How Menlo Pulled It Off
The game opened with Westmont dominating the first half, taking a 35-23 lead at halftime by capitalizing on Menlo's turnovers. However, the Oaks regrouped in the locker room and came out firing in the second half, outscoring Westmont 44-29.
Menlo's defense was the difference-maker, forcing 13 turnovers and limiting the Warriors to just 33% shooting in the second half. The Oaks also dominated the paint with 34 points inside and executed with precision at the free-throw line, converting 26 of their 31 attempts.
A game-changing 15-2 run midway through the second half, fueled by Seaman and Davidson, gave Menlo their first lead since the opening minutes. The Oaks held their ground in the final moments, with Rowe securing a crucial defensive rebound to seal the victory. This impressive win against a high-caliber conference opponent highlights Menlo's potential as a PacWest contender. The Oaks improve their record to 8-7 overall and 4-5 in PacWest play, carrying valuable momentum into their next game.
Up Next…
The Oaks will look to extend their win streak as they face another conference challenge at home on Thursday, January 23rd at 5:30pm against the Warriors of Jessup University. With their depth, determination, and rising confidence, the Oaks are poised to keep making waves in the PacWest.
