LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2009) – Both teams suffered losses in their respective Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference openers and tonight the Occidental College evened that SCIAC record at 1-1 with a 47-37 victory over Cal Lutheran University at Rush Gymnasium tonight.

In a low scoring affair both teams started slow, but Occidental never trailed after opening up with an 11-1 scoring advantage before taking a 21-15 lead at the break. Both teams struggled from the field with the Tigers slightly outshooting the Regals 25% to 23.8% before rebounding to shoot 42.1% and 50% in the second half respectively.

Oxy looked to the offensive leadership of Dior Williams and Brianne Brown who each supplied 12 points while Stephanie Babij poured in 10.

The rebounding edge went to Occidental who grabbed 31 including 11 offensive. Asha Jordan led all players with seven rebounds (five offensive) and Babij pulled down six (four offensive). CLU finished with 24 rebounds, just five offensive.

Occidental forced 30 turnovers, which led to 20 points for the Tigers. Williams was also a defensive threat with eight steals.

Cal Lutheran managed to score 20 points in the paint thanks in large part to Nita Sims who led all players with 13 points as the only Regals player to reach double figures. Shanna Moore chipped in with nine and also led the way rebounding for the Regals with five.

The Tigers improve to 9-4 overall, 1-1 in SCIAC play while the Regals fall to 1-11, 0-2. Occidental will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Pomona-Pitzer with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m.