CLAREMONT, Calif. --- Linfield men's basketball capped off the Southern California road trip with their closest battle yet, falling in overtime, 91-81, behind a pair of 20+ point scorers.
 
Pomona-Pitzer struck first with a layup, but Linfield answered back, as Dayton Magaña made a hook shot for the Wildcats first basket of the game. Kohsuke Fujiwara gave the 'Cats their first lead on the next possession, sinking a three, earning Nalu Vargas the assist. 
 
Vargas later gained the lead back with a three of his own with 15:11 remaining in the first half. For the third time, Linfield sank a three to regain the lead, this time, Gavin Perdue and Donovan Johnson made it 14-10 'Cats.
 
The Sagehens tied it up a pair of times before grabbing a two-point lead, only to be erased by a second Perdue three. Pomona-Pitzer's lead grew to as large as nine in the final minute, until Magaña ended the half with a driving layup to make it 36-29 Sagehens. 
 
The senior guard, Magaña, got the final 20-minutes started with a three on Linfield's second possession. Garrett Callsen scored his first ten points of the game in a five minute span, putting the 'Cats within one with 13:02 remaining, 48-47.
 
Perdue and Magaña then flipped the lead, sinking back-to-back threes, putting Linfield up for the first time in the half, 53-50. The Wildcats were effective from the charity stripe over a six-minute span, while Callsen's takeover continued, maintaining the lead into the final minute. 
 
Chase Bannett's free throw made it 74-71 Linfield with 27-seconds remaining, but a pair of 1-2 trips to the line meant the Sagehens were able to tie it up with a lay-in with six seconds to play; Pomona-Pitzer sent the game to overtime at 75-75.
 
The Sagehens made consecutive threes in the first 68-seconds of the five-minute overtime period, storming out to a six-point lead. Callsen matched his career high of 20-points with a free throw, but the threes continued to rain for the Sagehens, quickly taking a double-digit lead. Pomona-Pitzer's offensive explosion in overtime spoiled the Wildcat comeback, 91-81. 
 
Magaña led with 21-points on 8-15 from the field, joining Perdue with a team-high four threes. Callsen matched his career high with 20-points, adding five rebounds as well. Fujiwara had a team-high nine boards, while Bennett dished the most assists with seven. 
 
The 'Cats 81-points is a new high for the season, shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc; both just behind the Sagehens totals for the game. 
 
Men's basketball ends the road trip on a high note, returning home to take on Pacific next Saturday, December 6, in Forest Grove, Oregon. 
 
To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com. 
 
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