SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Troy Arce converted two free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining, lifting the Linfield Wildcats to a 76-75 victory over the Whittier Poets Friday in the opening game of the Mission Inn Tipoff Classic Friday at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
 
The Wildcats gained control of their season-opening game early, jumping out to an 18-point lead in the first half.
 
The game was decided in the frantic minute. Whittier fought back to take a one-point lead with 54 seconds remaining. Nick Potthoff's three-point basket put the Poets in front before Linfield responded with freshman Dempsey Roggenbuck's lay-up with 22 seconds remaining.
 
Whittier's Conner Longmire drilled home a jump shot with five seconds left that gave the Poets a one-point lead. Arce then dribbled the ball the length of the court in the remaining time and drew a foul attacking the rim. With less than a second on the clock, the transfer from West Hills College made both free throws to secure the victory for the 'Cats.
 
Arce scored 17 points in his Linfield debut, adding three assists and two rebounds to lead the Wildcats.
 
"We played a fine first half against a very good Whittier team," Linfield head coach Shanan Rosenberg said. "The second half was different. Whittier did a great job clawing back and could have won."
 
Jordan Clark contributed valuable minutes, adding 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Coming off of the bench, Roggenbuck added 14 points, four blocks and a steal in his first game as a Wildcat. Newcomer Sandor Rodriguez added four assists and two steals in 21 minutes off the bench.
 
"Jordan Clark played a great offensive game," said Rosenberg. "He set a great tone for our team. Dempsey and Sandor played very significant minutes off the bench and made some key plays to aid our efforts."
 
Liam O'Reilly added 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Riley Bruil recorded seven points and two assists while Tyler Watts scored six points and added four rebounds.
 
For the Poets, Victor Nwaba led the way with 27 points, five rebounds and three assists. Coming off the bench, Longmire added 16 points and seven rebounds. Jacob Aruta recorded 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Wildcats are now 1-0 on the season and Whittier falls to 0-1.
 
"I think we'll learn from this and prepare accordingly for a very good Pomona-Pitzer team (Saturday)," said Rosenberg.
 
Next
Action continues Saturday at the Mission Inn Tipoff Classic. Linfield meets Pomona-Pitzer at 3:30 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Arena.