Box Score WHITTIER, Calif. (Dec. 3, 2009) - Occidental once again
co-hosted the annual Tiger Poet Classic with Whittier
College. This year the event pitted the two SCIAC programs
against a pair of Northwest Conference squads. On day one Oxy
tipped off against the Willamette Bearcats, jumping out to a big
first half lead before watching the Bearcats battle back.
After closing with a flurry in the first half, Willamette could not
maintain the momentum, and the Tigers turned a close game at the
half into another double digit victory.
After trailing 6-5, Oxy went on a 16-0 run to take a 21-6 lead
after the first six minutes of play. Dior
Williams led the way with 8 points, 2 steals and an assist
during the opening stanza. Willamette settled down and
began to chip away at the lead, pulling within seven with 4:34 left
in the half. Laura Mohler connected on a
three pointer to stem the tide, and Stephanie
Babij added a couple of freethrows, but the Bearcats
answered with a four point run of their own to cut the deficit back
to single digits. Oxy went into the locker room with a 38-30
advantage but momentum was up for grabs.
The Tigers came out on fire to start the second half, with
Williams as the catalyst again, scoring 9 points during a 17-6 run
to open the second half. This time momentum would take up
permanent residence in the orange and black as the Bearcats (1-4)
could not mount a serious threat in the second half.
Williams led the Tigers with 19 points and a game high 6
steals. Makenzie Brandon had her "usual"
outing with another double double night, as she grabbed 10 boards
to go along with 12 points. Babij also had a strong night
inside with 13 points and 8 rebounds.
Willamette's Alex Zennan led all scorers with 27
points.
Oxy (4-1) will return to Rush Gymnasium on Friday, December
4th for day two of the Tiger Poet Classic as they will
face Lewis & Clark at 7:30pm.
