Las Vegas, NV - Occidental fell to Salve Regina, 78-77, in a tight contest in Las Vegas, NV. Occidental's defense forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 16 points, while also recording 15 steals. Despite a strong effort in the paint with 36 points, the Tigers were edged out in the final stretch. Salve Regina capitalized on free throws, making 26 of 35 attempts, to secure the victory.

The Tigers began the opening quarter with a quick response to Salve Regina's initial basket, as Kayla Ikuma converted a layup assisted by Dominique Cabading, leveling the score early. The team moved ahead with a successful jumper by Paige Yasukochi, followed by a three-pointer, also from Yasukochi, giving the Tigers a brief lead. Despite their efforts, Occidental faced a challenge in maintaining the lead as Salve Regina capitalized on their free throw opportunities and points in the paint. Dara Tokeshi's three-pointer helped Occidental regain the lead momentarily at 19–18, but Salve Regina edged ahead with late free throws. The quarter closed with Occidental trailing 22–19.

In the second quarter, the Tigers showcased strong defensive pressure early, with Makena Daggett initiating momentum by forcing a turnover and Yasukochi capitalizing with a jumper to take a brief lead. Their defensive efforts continued with Ainsley Shelsta and Cabading each contributing with key steals, while Tokeshi added to the scoring with a layup. Occidental maintained momentum with consistent scoring from the paint, as Yasukochi and Daggett connected on crucial baskets. The team extended their lead with efficient free-throw shooting from Daggett, and a late jumper by Tokeshi kept them ahead. Despite Salve Regina's attempts to close the gap, the Tigers ended the quarter leading 35–35.

Occidental began the third quarter with a strong defensive presence, creating turnovers and converting them into points. Shelsta's defensive rebound and Yasukochi's layup tied the game at 37. Following a series of defensive stops, Cabading's steal led to Tokeshi's fast-break layup, giving the Tigers a narrow lead. Midway through the quarter, Occidental extended their advantage with a 3-pointer from Yasukochi, assisted by Cabading, making the score 42-40. They continued to capitalize on defensive plays with Cabading securing a crucial steal and Yasukochi scoring consecutively to widen the gap. In the closing minutes, the Tigers maintained their lead through consistent free-throw shooting by Nicole Vanegas, pushing the score to 52-49. Despite Salve Regina's attempts to close the gap, Occidental ended the quarter ahead, 52-50.

The Tigers opened the fourth quarter with Yasukochi providing a key jumper to tie the score at 54. The team briefly led after Yasukochi's free throws, but Salve Regina responded to regain a narrow lead. A defensive stop and Ikuma's free throws kept the Tigers within reach, tying the game again at 58. A crucial three-pointer by Emily Ko with eight seconds left tied the game at 63, following a defensive rebound by Cabading. Despite Salve Regina taking a slim lead with five seconds remaining, Yasukochi's jumper at the buzzer tied the game again at 65. The quarter ended with a 65–65 tie, showcasing a tense and dramatic finish.

Oxy opened the overtime period with a defensive stand as Yasukochi's steal led to an Emily Ko layup, briefly giving the home team a lead. Tokeshi capitalized on free throws to maintain a narrow advantage, while Shelsta added key points in the paint to keep Occidental competitive. Despite Salve Regina's efforts to reclaim the lead, Shelsta's layup with seven seconds left put the Tigers ahead 77–76. However, Salve Regina responded immediately, with Sofia Neary's jumper in the closing seconds securing a 78–77 victory for the visitors. Occidental fought to the final buzzer, but a last-second three-point attempt by Cabading missed the mark. The period concluded with Occidental narrowly trailing by one point, finalizing the period score at 12–13.

Occidental Top Performers

Paige Yasukochi  
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- 30 points  
- 13 field goals made  
- 3 blocks  
- 3 steals  

Dominique Cabading  
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- 12 assists  
- 4 steals  
- 7 rebounds  

Dara Tokeshi  
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- 13 points  
- 5 field goals made  
- 2 steals  

Ila Giblin  
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- 9 rebounds  
- 2 blocks  
- 3 assists  

Ainsley Shelsta  
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- 12 points  
- 8 rebounds  
- 5 field goals made  

Occidental holds a 4-4 overall record. Salve Regina stands at 5-6 for the season.

Looking ahead, the Tigers will face Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The home game for Occidental is set to tip off at 1 p.m. in Los Angeles, California.