WHITTIER, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2010) - After trailing at halftime in
the first match up against Whittier, before falling to their
only loss in SCIAC play, the black and orange had plans for a
different ending. Oxy came in tonight playing at a different
level and it showed right from the opening tipoff. Blazing
out to a 39-20 lead by intermission, the Tigers were going to make
sure they avenged the earlier loss, and then rolled to their eighth
victory in a row by the final margin of 71-53.
The Tiger defense was the catalyst tonight, as the Tigers
smothered the Poets into shooting only 26.7% from the field in the
first half, surrendering only eight baskets in the first 20
minutes. Makenzie Brandon led the way
offensively with 10 points while Dior Williams had
a huge half with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals.
Whittier cut the lead to 7 with 8:44 left in the half, forcing a
Tiger timeout, but the defending SCIAC champs responded with an
11-2 run. Laura Mohler got things rolling
with a jumper from the elbow, and then Williams sandwiched a
reverse layup and wing triple around two time SCIAC athlete of the
week Stephanie Babij's four point run.
Now up 31-15, Oxy had regained control and cruised into the
half up 19.
After a lopsided opening half, the Poets picked up the intensity
and began challenging the Tiger defense, resulting in 17 trips to
the charity stripe. Although Whittier only logged 9 second
half baskets, the 15 makes from the line, helped them win the
second half by the slimmest of margins, 33-32. Oxy never was
threatened in the second half, as the Poets cut the lead to 13 only
once as they enjoyed a double digit cushion for the entire
half.
Whittier (12-8, 5-4) was led by Kourtney Zilbert's game high 16
points and Tina Merino's double double, of 10 points and 10
boards. The Tigers countered with two double doubles, as
Williams scored 14 to go along, with a game high, 12 rebounds,
while Katelyn Rowe had a terrific overall game by
pouring in 14 points, pulling down 10 rebounds and controlling the
paint with 7 blocked shots. Babij finished the game with 14
points and Brandon followed with 12 points.
The win keeps Oxy (16-4, 8-1) tied atop the SCIAC standings with
Cal Lu (8-1 in SCIAC) for the top spot. Next up for Cal
Lu is a home game against La Verne this Saturday, while Oxy will
travel to CMS on the same night. But this Saturday will be
the last time we could possibly have a tie atop the standings,
because if both teams pull out SCIAC victories, they will face off
on Thursday February 11th in Rush Gymnasium in one of
the best games in the west region.
Before that, the Tigers will have to get by a disciplined CMS
squad on Saturday, February 6th, tipoff is at 5pm in
Claremont.
