CLAREMONT, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2009) – Nothing seemed to go right for Occidental tonight, beginning well before tip-off, as a chemical spill closed down the freeway and the Tigers just barely arrived before the scheduled start against the host Sagehens. But the night did not improve from there, as the Tigers managed just 12 first half points and were buried by a 28 point halftime deficit that they could not overcome dropping the game 70-39 to Pomona-Pitzer. 

The Sagehens, who opened conference play with a 50 point victory over Caltech, continued their hot start in the first half. Overall they connected for 52% of their field goal attempts including 58% of their shots from behind the arc. 

A Tiger team that had battled Cal Lutheran to the closing seconds on Saturday night was not the same team that took the floor tonight. In the first half they made only four baskets and defensively were unable to disrupt PP's offensive rhythm as they were able to do against the Kingsmen.

In the second half, Occidental was able to play even with the Sagehens, with Pomona-Pitzer winning the second half by the slimmest of margins, 30-27.  Occidental shot much better in the second half and dominated on the boards throughout the contest (50-34). 

Leading the way for the Tigers was freshman Jack Hanley with 11 points and five rebounds and junior Clark Gordon who pulled down a team high nine boards. 

The Sagehens, although posting 70 points, had just two players reach double figures. Justin Sexton finished with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while David Liss had a game high 26 points. Pomona-Pitzer dominated every offensive category and cruised to their second conference win of the year (5-8, 2-0 SCIAC).

The Tigers (4-9, 0-2) will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. when they travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a pivotal SCIAC conference match up.