The University of Redlands men's basketball team came up with big defensive plays in the final minutes of tonight's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) game against the visiting Sagehens of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges to capture a hard-fought 63-60 victory.

With less than two minutes to go in the second half, the Bulldogs finally scored on a possession that involved three huge offensive rebounds. Senior guard Pat Coffey (San Carlos, CA) stepped back and nailed a three-pointer with 1:51 on the clock to make it a four-point game at 61-57, while also inspiring the Currier Gym crowd to its feet.

However, Pomona-Pitzer's Adam Chaimowitz answered with a three of his own on the ensuing possession, cutting the Bulldogs' lead to one.

Following a Sagehen timeout, Redlands missed a three-pointer and Pomona-Pitzer grabbed the important rebound but then quickly turned over the ball on a traveling call with 24 seconds left. The Sagehens had fouls to give so they made four consecutive fouls to finally send Redlands to the free-throw line. Unfortunately, the Bulldog shooter missed and Pomona-Pitzer came up with the rebound.

But another Sagehen turnover kept the Maroon and Gray in control, which led to the fifth foul in 22 seconds and another opportunity for Redlands at the line.

However, the Bulldogs missed again and the Sagehens came up with the ball but then threw it away for their third turnover in as many possessions.

Finally, junior guard Kent Ervin (Bend, OR) went to the line on the ensuing one-and-one opportunity and converted both shots, giving Redlands the 63-60 advantage with less than two seconds left in the game.

A failed three-pointer at the buzzer by the Sagehens led to the Bulldog celebration on Gary Smith Court in Currier Gym.

Redlands held a nine-point lead at the half, benefitting from solid shooting from the field at 47.1% and from long range at a 40.0% clip. The Bulldogs also controlled the boards with a 20 to 14 advantage, including four more on the offensive end that resulted in 14 points for Redlands.

The second half saw a much different story, with Pomona-Pitzer grabbing 23 rebounds with nine offensive boards, while the Bulldogs came up with 16 and five, respectively. Redlands also struggled from the field, hitting only 26.1% of its shots, as the Sagehens went 11-for-33 for a mark of 33.3%.

Overall, the Bulldogs hit eight of their 11 opportunities at the charity stripe, while Pomona-Pitzer was 2-for-6 from the line.

The Maroon and Gray gained 14 points from Coffey while nine other players had at least two points. Senior guard Andrew Maertens (Salt Lake City, UT) came on strong in the second half, contributing nine points on three baskets from beyond the arc. Junior center Andrew Mills (Bellevue, WA) pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Bulldogs.

Redlands (6-8, 2-1 SCIAC) heads to Whittier College on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. against the Poets.