Tigers Fall to Cougars on the Road

AZUSA, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2007) – One day after opening the season with a win, the Tigers ran into trouble tonight against NAIA Azusa Pacific on the road, falling 79-57.

The No. 8 ranked Cougars took control of the game with just under seven minutes to play in the first half when they turned a 20-18 deficit into a 23-20 lead, one they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Occidental committed six turnovers that led directly to 12 points, changing the pace of the game, despite playing 30 minutes of fantastic basketball.

For Azusa junior guard Mike Danielian teamed with senior forward Davon Roberts to give the Cougars a dominating inside-out presence that eventually wilted a high-energy set of Tigers. The duo combined for 44 of the APU’s 79 points on 16-for-24 shooting and spurred a 16-2 run late in the first half that changed the complexion of the contest.

Not only did Danielian have an outstanding shooting game (8-11 from the field, 5-6 from three point range, 27 total points) but more importantly he forced Oxy’s senior guard Connor Whitman to a 5-for-19 shooting night.

Oxy senior forward Chris Hunt was extremely effective on the glass with a game high nine rebounds. Senior Gemayal McBride tallied seven and sophomore transfer Sean Anderson had six boards. The Tigers grabbed 16 offensive rebounds while the Cougars had just six.

Hunt added 13 points and Huston Conti also broke double figures, adding 14 from the bench. Whitman, McBride and Chris Pitcher finished with three assists apiece.

Occidental shot just 30.3 % from the field as their counterparts put up a 59.7 field goal percentage in the game.

“Coach Justin Leslie is doing a wonderful job of continuing the winning tradition at APU,” said Oxy Head Coach Brian Newhall. “Playing teams like the University of San Diego and APU expose some of the Occidental weaknesses and will help us prepare for SCIAC play.”

“We have a very unselfish, hard working team,” he went on. Newhall and the Tigers are looking forward to getting back on the court for practice tomorrow in preparation for their season home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Occidental (1-1) will tipoff against La Sierra (1-0)  is at 7:30 in Rush Gymnasium.