LA VERNE, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2007) – If
the intensity on the court was any indication of what is to come
this season in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference women's basketball play, it is sure to be an
exciting season. In the conference opener the Tigers fell 86-71 to
the University of La Verne on the road at the Frantz Athletic
Court.
Occidental jumped out to a lead early, but
seven minutes in to the first half the Leopards took the lead once
and for all. Occidental got back within two points with three
minutes to play in the first period, but La Verne used a 16-4 run
to take a commanding 45-31 lead at the break.
At the 12:07 mark Brittany
Mally scored to pull the Tigers to within seven at 58-51,
but the Leopards added three on the next possession taking a double
figure lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of
regulation.
La Verne's Marissa Raya and Trenecca
Jones combined for 54 points as Raya led all players with 29
points. Jones recorded her sixth double-double of the season with
25 points and 14 rebounds, seven on each end of the court.
Oxy's senior guard Stacie
Roshon played all 40 minutes, tallying 22 points
(10-for-11 from the line) with eight rebounds. Next in line for the
Tigers was freshman Stephanie Babij with 14 points
and seven boards in her first career SCIAC game. Brianne
Brown added 10 points for the Tigers but fouled out with
8:22 remaining. Babij and Brown each dished out three assists while
Brown and Gillian Nugent each finished with three
steals. Babij also recorded a game high two blocks.
Turnovers hurt the Tigers tonight, as the
Leopards were able to convert 20 Oxy turnovers into 23 points.
Occidental forced 19 turnovers, but scored just 12 points.
The Tigers shot just 37.5% from the field
while the Leopards posted a 47.1 overall shooting percentage on the
evening. ULV was also solid at the line with a 20-for-22
performance. Oxy was 17-for-22 in free throw attempts tonight.
Occidental will be back in action on Monday,
Jan. 14 with their final non-conference game of the season when
they host Southwestern (AZ) at Rush Gymnasium with tip-off
scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
