LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 18, 2007) - Occidental women's basketball defeated longtime SCIAC rival Pomona-Pitzer 72-59 Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Rains Center in Claremont, Calif., setting up a showdown with defending conference champion Cal Lutheran Saturday in Thousand Oaks.  The Tigers improved to 9-5 overall, 2-1 in SCIAC play.  Pomona-Pitzer fell to 4-9, 1-2 SCIAC.

Jessica Cross '10 led the Tigers with 14 points and 13 rebounds, hitting 5 of 5 attempts from the floor.  Dior Williams '10 tallied 13 points, two assists, and one steal while point guard Laura Mohler added 11 points and six rebounds. 

Senior post Amelia Abernathy scored eight points, all in the first half, and guard Stacie Roshon, the SCIAC Pre-Season Player of the Year, finished with seven points and five boards.  Reserve forward Ashley Rosenbaum '10 recorded three assists in just four minutes of play.

Occidental never trailed in the contest, jumping out to an 11-2 lead with 14:12 left in the first half.  Some solid interior passing led to ten Occidental lay-ups and a sizzling field goal percentage of 66.7% (14 of 21) in the second half.  The Tigers didn't shoot particularly well from three-point territory (4-15) but hit 16 of 20 free throw attempts and held a 42-23 advantage on the boards.

Cal Lutheran (6-7, 2-1 SCIAC) lost to La Verne 55-54 Thursday night at Frantz Athletic Court.  The Regals have graduated SCIAC Player of the Year Lauren Stroot but return three starters from last years' team, including Second Team selection Tiffiny Shim.  Cal Lutheran defeated Occidental 66-51 at Rush Gym and 81-68 in Thousand Oaks in 2005-06.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5pm at new Gilbert Arena.