LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2009) – A slow start turned into a 10-point lead at the break and ended with a 67-54 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season home finale victory for the Tigers who defeated the University of La Verne tonight at Rush Gymnasium.

Occidental was down 9-0 out of the gate, but clawed their way back into the game, taking a two-point lead when Evan Shore hit a three-pointer on an assist from David Ostrow with 12:10 to play in the opening period, never trailing through the remainder of regulation.

Just before Shore's long shot Sean Anderson sparked what would turn into a 16-2 run, swinging the momentum in favor of the black and orange.

After the break the Leopards battled back into the game, pulling within one twice, but again Anderson got the offense going with a pair of free-throws at the 9:49 mark as the Tigers would outscore the Leos 8-0 over the next three plus minutes. Oxy would go on to open up a 14-point lead when Jack Hanley scored two of his game-high 21 points with 4:01 to go in the second half.

Also reaching double figures tonight for the Tigers were Anderson and Ostrow who poured in 15 and 11, respectively. Ostrow also supplied eight assists and Shore finished with six assists and eight points. Overall Oxy shot41.7% from the field and held the Leopards to a shooting night of 30.8%.

The teams were even with regards to rebounding, each pulling down seven offensive boards with the Oxy grabbing 27 to La Verne's 36. Senior Justin Goltz led all players with nine boards while Anderson grabbed seven. Defensively Anderson was a menace tonight recording a season game-high six blocks.

Goltz scored seven points in his final home appearance in black and orange. Henry Meier also took the court at home for the final time of his career, grabbing four rebounds in limited action.

Occidental forced 17 Leopard turnovers, leading to 16 points, but ULV converted 12 Oxy turnovers into 15 points.

ULV (6-18, 2-11 SCIAC) looked to Kyle Luhnow for 11 points as the only Leopard in double figures as he added a team high seven rebounds as well.

Occidental improves to 11-13 overall, 7-6 in SCIAC play and will conclude its 2008-09 season Tuesday evening, Feb. 24, when they travel to the University of Redlands to tip-off with the Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m.