Immaculata University men's basketball team fell to Whitman College (WA) 62-56 on Monday, December 27, in the first game of the Cactus Jam Hoops Classic. The tournament is being held from Sunday, December 26- Thursday, December 30 on the campus of South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ. 

Junior guard Rob Siter led the Mighty Macs' offense with 22 points, shooting 10-for-13 overall from the floor. Sophomore guard Nelson Torres chipped in 11 points. 

Whitman gained a 16-4 lead, but the Mighty Macs chipped away to come back to take a 26-24 lead with 5:33 left in the first half. The Missionaries answered back and closed out the half on a 12-0 run to lead 36-26 at the break. 

Immaculata closed to within five points midway through the second half, 52-41 with 6:30 left on the clock.

Kendall Peters drained a three pointer to cut Whitman's lead to 60-54 with 1:38 remaining but the Missionaries took the lead on made free throws to win the game 62-56.

Sophomore Peter Clark hit five 3-pointers and recorded 16 points to lead the Missionaries and  sophomore Ignas Pavilonis collected 11 points. 

Immaculata (2-6) plays a second game at the Cactus Jam tournament when it faces Linfield College tonight at 10 p.m.