Los Angeles, CA — Those in attendance in Rush Gymnasium were in store for a great match up as the Caltech Beavers made the short trip down to Eagle Rock to face off with women's basketball. 

It was close the whole way as the largest lead of the game came in the 4th quarter, when Oxy held a 9 point lead. 

After one half of play, the Tigers were up by a score of 40-36 thanks to a tip-in from Shelsta late in the 2nd quarter. Shelsta worked her way to the line often in the 1st half, making 5 of 6 free throws. 

Shelsta also dominated the 3rd quarter, scoring 12 points in the 3rd alone as the Caltech defense struggled to stop her from getting to her spot in the paint. 

The 4th quarter is when Caltech made a run to get back in the game after trailing by 9, knocking down three straight 3-pointers to go on a 9-0 run and tie the game at 69. 

The Beavers' run got to as large as 14-0, but Oxy stayed calm and got back to their offense by getting to the free throw line twice and going 3 of 4 on those FT attempts. 

With 1:40 left in the game, Shelsta made a tip-in off of a miss to tie the game at 74.

Caltech made a layup in the paint to take the lead, but the Tigers went back to Shelsta and she made another layup in the paint on an assist from Dominique Cabading while also getting fouled and knocking down the free throw, giving Oxy a one point lead with 27 seconds to play. 

On the next possession, Caltech would call a timeout that they did not have, resulting in free throws for the Tigers. Paige Yasukochi went 1 for 2 on those free throws but it was also Oxy ball out of bounds, and the Beavers were forced to send Yasukochi back to the line where she would seal the game by knocking in both. 

The Tigers won this game by a score of 80-79 because of a late Caltech 3-pointer, and the Tigers are now 2-0 in SCIAC play. 

BY THE NUMBERS

Shelsta was a force the entire way in this game, totaling 32 points on 12 of 19 field goals, and 8 of 11 free throws. Shelsta also grabbed 17 boards, had 2 assists and a block. 

Dara Tokeshi also had a good scoring game for Oxy, scoring 18 points thanks in part to making three 3-pointers.

Paige Yasukochi had 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Tigers shot an efficient 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. 

The Tigers out rebounded the Beavers 39 to 28 and also caused 8 Caltech turnovers in the game. 

UP NEXT

Oxy will play the CMS Athenas on the road in Claremont on Wednesday, January 8th for their next SCIAC match up.