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Redlands, CA— The Occidental women's basketball team was in Redlands looking to keep their momentum going against the UR Bulldogs.Â
The Tigers fell behind early but were prepared to battle back after the Bulldogs jumped out to a 8-2 scoring start. After Dara Tokeshi knocked down a 3-pointer and Paige Yasukochi made a layup Oxy was right back to being within 2 points.Â
Later in the quarter, Toni Thompson made a layup that had Oxy within a point of the lead, but Redlands rescinded and took a 18-13 lead into the 2nd quarter. The Bulldogs also came out strong in the 2nd and had a 25-15 lead with 4 minutes to go until halftime.Â
Ainsley Shelsta began to take over for the Tigers on offense and scored 3 baskets in a row for Oxy to get the team within 6 points. After Redlands responded, Tokeshi made another 3-pointer to get Oxy within 5 points and the game would go into halftime with Redlands up 32-27.
Paige Yasukochi made the first two Tiger baskets to get the team going in the 3rd quarter and then Toni Thompson made a jumper as well and Oxy was within one point of the Bulldogs again. Oxy then took a 2 point lead after Dominique Cabading knocked down a jumper.
Both teams were battling back and forth within 2 or 3 points of each other as both teams took leads at different points in the quarter. The game would be tied at 47 after Amaia McCoy made a layup in the paint and eventually Oxy took a 50-47 lead into the 4th quarter.Â
Ainsley Shelsta and Toni Thompson were leading the way scoring for the Tigers early on to start the 4th quarter. Oxy took a 5 point lead on a Dominique Cabading made 3-pointer with 6:20 remaining in the game. After Paige Yasukochi made a jumper, Cabading knocked down another big 3-pointer and Oxy was up 64-55 with 4 minutes to play.Â
The Tigers were able to knock down enough free throws to secure the win as the BUlldogs were forced to start fouling in hopes of a comeback. Oxy would get the win by a score of 71-61. Ainsley Shelsta and Toni Thompson each had a double double, and both players had exactly 17 points and 15 rebounds. Thompson also had 6 assists and 4 steals in the game.
Dominique Cabading and Paige Yasukochi each scored in double figures for the Tigers as well, and Dara Tokeshi made both of her 3-pointers and had 9 points and had 5 assists. Oxy will look to keep their strong play going as they head into a matchup with the Caltech Beavers at home on Monday, January 15th at 2pm.