Box Score CLAREMONT, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2010) - The Tigers squeaked out a
road victory by riding the double double performance of
Stephanie Babij and surviving a great overall
effort from CMS. After shooting so poorly in the first match
up, CMS stepped up from the field and played great defense, but the
Tigers made just enough plays to steal the 76-73
victory.
This was a classic barnburner as both teams seemingly traded
baskets all night. Leading 29-28 at the end of the first
half, Oxy had shot 43.5% from the field and although CMS only shot
29.4%, they had found a way to stay close. Launching 11 more
shots then Oxy in the half, allowed them to equal the same amount
of made baskets, and a turnover oriented defense was the
difference. As the majority of the Athenas 12 steals came in
the first half.
CMS also went deep into the bench, with 10 players logging in at
least 10 minutes, which helped them keep the pressure on. The
Tigers were out rebounded 42-33, which limited any second chance
opportunities, seemingly leaving them ripe for the upset.
The second half was more of the same as CMS shot 43.3% from the
field while Oxy shot a sizzling 60%, but the host school took 10
more shots which forced the first overtime for the Tigers this
season.
What made the difference was that the Tigers kept attacking all
night, including in overtime, matching CMS's intensity, never
backing down even when they trailed with less than a minute to
play. Their aggression was rewarded with 26 trips to the
line, connecting on 21, while CMS only made it to the line 20
times.
The veterans and rookie Tigers in the end were too much for CMS
to handle, as Babij scored a season high 32 points to go along with
a game high 12 rebounds, and Dior Williams filled
it up again with 14 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Keeping
pace with the veterans was Makenzie Brandon who
also scored 14 points.
CMS (12-9, 3-7) was led by Cameron Hanson's 14 points.
The Tigers (17-4, 9-1) now return home, riding a 9 game winning
streak, to face off against the Cal Lu Regals (17-4, 9-1) with
first place in the standings on the line. Rush gymnasium will
host this clash on February 11th, with tip off slated
for 7:30pm.
