Anderson, Leider combine for 42 in win on NYE

IRVINE, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2009) – On the last day of 2009, the Occidental College Tigers posted a 72-67 victory over Ripon College at the Surf City Classic hosted by Concordia University, Irvine. Oxy’s combination of Sean Anderson and Eric Leider joined forces for 42 points in the win as Anderson, the Tigers’ 6-foot-10 center, was named to the All-Tournament team.

Deshun McCoy lit up the scoreboard first and Ripon’s Scott Gillespie, who was named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player (24 ppg), countered with a three-pointer to put his team on top. That, however, was the last time the Red Hawks would lead in the contest as Anderson and Leider joined forces to score the next 20 points. Leider broke an 8-8 tie at the 14:59 mark, sparking a 12-2 run, in which he scored all five baskets. 

Occidental led 37-28 at the break and built a 14-point lead, for the second time in the game (the first on an Anderson dunk), with a Jack Hanley lay-up. The Red Hawks battled back, clawing their way back into the game, though, pulling within a point with 5:08 remaining in regulation and again with 3:26 to play.

The Black and Orange hung tough in the final minutes, knocking down 3-of-4 free-throws to seal the victory. Overall, Oxy was 11-for-14 at the line and shot 48% from the field overall. Beyond the arc, the Tigers combined to shoot 42% with Leider hitting on 4-of-5 attempts to finish with a game-high 24 points. Hanley and Huston Conti chipped in with 10 points apiece as well.

Anderson tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds for the only double-double of the day ad added a pair of assists. On the glass, as a team, Oxy grabbed 39 rebounds (12 offensive) to Ripon’s 23 and limited the Red Hawks to just three offensive boards, which all came in the same series. Oxy scored 19 points on second chances and Ripon had zero second-chance points.

This afternoon Occidental scored 26 points in the paint and held Ripon to just 16. Hanley stole the ball three times, to lead all players, and Oxy converted steals into 13 points off turnovers. 

Occidental (7-3) enjoys a few days off to celebrate the New Year, but will be back on the hardwood Monday, Jan. 4 when they host Emerson College at 5:00 p.m. at Rush Gymnasium.