First Term Highlights

Caltech completed its non-conference season with a record of 5-6, marking the best start since 1994-95. On December 31, the Beavers hosted Babson College, the Beavers from the east coast and the New England Men's and Women's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). Coach Eslinger coached in the NEWMAC prior to his move to the SCIAC and also played against Babson in the 90's as a player at Clark University.

Edwards scored his 1,000th point on Dec. 31

Boosted by Michael Edwards' 25-point night, the host Beavers earned a 57-52 victory over Babson after trailing by as many as 13 points. With his game-high scoring output, Edwards became the 12th player in Caltech history to record at least 1,000 points. Ethan Boroson tied a school record with five steals to go along with his five points and four rebounds. The win marks the first time Caltech has beaten Babson.

In November, The Beavers' first win of the season was a nail-biter, as Boroson came through with a clutch basket with 10 seconds remaining to give Caltech a 63-62 edge. Edwards scored a season-high 28 in that contest and Alex Runkel posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

A few days later, the Beavers started a three game win streak against the University of Dallas (69-53) on the second day of the Thanksgiving Classic. Caltech followed with a tremendous road win at West Coast Baptist, a game that saw the Beavers post 95 points, the most points accumulated in a win since Caltech beat American Indian Bible in 1989-90. Caltech then went to Minnesota and beat Macalester 71-65 before coming back home for the Babson game after the winter break.

Through 11 games, the Beavers are ranked 45th nationally in 3-point field goal percentage defense (29.1 percent), 131st in assists per game (14.3), and 144th in 3-pointers made per game (6.6). 405 division III schools are ranked.

The basketball team was also highlighted in the Institute's Happy New Year video:

Ballers Aid Caltech at Rose Bowl

This past Saturday, Caltech won the inaugural Pasadena Collegiate Field Tournament. Billed as a friendly competitive event at the Rose Bowl, students from higher institutions in Pasadena took part in various competitive activities, from cheeseburger creations to athletic skills to puzzles.

The Beavers were well supported with dozens of students and several faculty members making the short trek to the famous football field. The mayor presented the trophy to the Caltech team before the various groups gathered in the lot for an old fashioned tailgate feast.

The men's basketball team was represented on the playing surface by freshmen ballers Alex Runkel and Pan Wang, both key competitors in the tournament. In an earlier event, Runkel used his athleticism to defend the frisbee toss. Wang (pictured left) is shown celebrating the Caltech victory.

Beaver Ranks

How did the young Beavers stack up against the competition this past season? Check out various team and individual ranks, within the conference and on the national stage. (For the majority of team stats, the NCAA ranks 404 schools; for most individual stats, the NCAA ranks 500 players).

Team Statistics

Category	Statistic	SCIAC	NCAA DIII
Blocked Shots	3.7	1	72
3FG% Defense	32.0	4	98

Mike Edwards - Freshman

Category	Statistic	SCIAC	NCAA DIII
Scoring Avg.	18.8	2	65
Free Throw Pct.	.777	8	216
Steals per game	1.8	2	196
3-Pointers per game	2.5	2	78
Blocked Shots	14	11	--

Ryan Elmquist - Junior

Category	Statistic	SCIAC	NCAA DIII
Scoring Avg.	12.8	13	--
Blocked Shots	50	1	38
Rebounds per game	5.9	10	397
Defensive Rebounds per game	4.9	7	--

Collin Murphy - Freshman

Category	Statistic	SCIAC	NCAA DIII
Assists per game	2.0	13	--
Assists per game (conf. only)	2.4	8	--
Steals per game	1.4	9	432
Rebounds per game (conf. only)	4.5	18	--

Alex Runkel - Freshman

Category	Statistic	SCIAC	NCAA DIII
Rebounds per game	4.5	17	--
Offensive Rebounds per game	1.6	15	--

Jesse Shevin - Freshman

Category	Statistic	SCIAC	NCAA DIII
Blocked Shots	15	10	--