Photo by samsphotoservices.com

Los Angeles, CA — Women's basketball was in Rush Gym in a matchup with Whitworth University for their last home game of 2023 before heading to Las Vegas to close out the year. 

The Tigers got off to a great start in the game with a major contribution from Toni Thompson. Oxy led 15-11 after one quarter and had been feeding Thompson the ball as she continued to make shot after shot and totaled 7 made shots out of 10 field goals. 

In the 2nd quarter, Oxy maintained a slight lead over Whitworth until the 3:40 mark of the quarter when Whitworth was able to tie the game on made free throws. Thompson quickly knocked down a three for Oxy to get the lead back and Ainsley Shelsta helped close out the half strong with two made baskets of her own to help Oxy hold a 30-24 lead at half. 

Oxy would come out fast to start the 2nd half and the lead quickly got up to 9 points after Dominique Cabading made a layup with 7:40 to go in the quarter. Whitworth would continue to respond with made baskets to keep the lead from getting out of hand, but Oxy would also respond back. 

Dara Tokeshi had a nice 3-point play to extend the Tiger lead back up to 8 points with 4 minutes left in the 3rd. The quarter would come to a close after Amaia McCoy made a jumper to make the score 51-44 in favor of the Tigers after 3 quarters. 

Whitworth worked their way to the line to get back into the game and after making two free throws with 8:44 left in the game it was only a 4 point Oxy lead. The Tigers responded by getting to the line themselves and Michelle Lagunas-Monroy knocked down two free throws. Ainsley Shelsta then hit a nice jumper in the paint to extend the lead back out to 9. 

Thompson would close out the game strong with a made 3-pointer to make the score 64-50 and Tokeshi followed suit with another 3-pointer of her own and the Oxy lead was 15 points with 3:13 left in the game. 

Micah Elegores would close out the game with a made layup on the last Oxy possession and the game would come to a close by a score of 75-57. Toni Thompson was the player of the game, finishing with 38 points and 11 rebounds while also dishing out 3 assists. 

Ainsley Shelsta also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Amaia McCoy was efficient from the field and the free throw line and totaled 7 points in the game as well. 

Oxy will be in action in Las Vegas the next time they take the court, as they will face off against Westminster (Mo.) at South Point Arena on Friday, December 29th at 10:00am.