Second Half Surge: Oxy Outlasts # 14 SUNY Plattsburgh

ORANGE, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2007) – Depth off the bench paid dividends for the Tigers tonight. Joe Sasich and Jordan Schultz stepped up for Oxy in the second half rallying to turn a 29-24 deficit into a 69-64 victory over undefeated and formerly # 14 ranked SUNY Plattsburgh at the Chapman Classic hosted at Chapman University.

The 6-foot-6 inch duo of Sasich and Chris Pitcher poured in 16 points apiece while Connor Whitman supplied 15.

A 10-2 run mid-way through the second half gave the Tigers an advantage they would not relinquish. Schultz got things started by hitting a three after Sasich got an offensive rebounds. Just over two minutes later Schultz hit another basket from beyond the arc, going up 52-51.

Occidental opened a 10 point lead with 4:22 remaining in regulation, before Plattsburgh chipped away. The Tigers maintained the lead with solid performances at the line by Whitman and Huston Conti.

Overall the Tigers were18-22 from the free throw line. They shot 42.6% from the field and outrebounded SUNY Plattsburgh 44-33.

Whitman played an outstanding defensive game, grabbing eight rebounds and recording the only Oxy steal of the game. He and Schultz each dished out a game leading three assists as well.

Sasich finished the night with nine rebounds, three coming on the offensive side of the court. Chris Hunt pulled down seven in the game.

When asked about the victory Coach Newhall shared, “This was a great win for our program and for the SCIAC. Our team made some adjustments at half time and executed well in the second half to earn the win.”

The Tigers improve to 5-1 overall. They will be back on the court Friday, Dec. 28 when they travel to Irvine, Calif. to tip off at 6:00 p.m. against Southern Maine at Concordia University.