Whitman Wows the Crowd with 37 Points

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2007) –  Some wondered if he would ever miss tonight as senior guard Connor Whitman scored a career high 37 points on 13-for-24 shooting including eight from three point range, one shy of his personal best, en route to an 88-67 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University tonight at Rush Gymnasium.

Occidental opened the game up with an 11-2 run. The Tigers took a 19-point lead with just over six minutes to play in the first period. In the first half alone Whitman supplied the Tigers with a 21-point performance, hitting five three-pointers on the way to a 46-34 lead at the break.

The Titans battled back early in the second half, pulling within two at the 15:55 mark. Oxy proceeded to go on an 13-3 run, taking a double figure lead, on a jumper by Chris Pitcher, that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Overall the Tigers shot 50.8% from the field. A trio of players hit double digits on the night as Sean Anderson and Huston Conti finished with 11 and 10, respectively. Pitcher recorded a game high six assists and Gemayal McBride dished out five. Additionally, McBride was 5-6 from the free throw line, adding a pair of steals as well.

Whitman added three assists, three steals and five rebounds to his stat sheet tonight for Oxy.

While both teams grabbed 34 rebounds, Pitcher led the way for Oxy with eight. Illinois Wesleyan’s Darius Gant finished with a double-double including 10 rebounds and 14 points.

Leading the offense for the Titans was Brett Chamernik, who chipped in 16. He also pulled down seven rebounds in the game.

Tonight’s victory extends the Tigers’ win streak to six games and puts their season total at 7-1. IWU fell to .500 at 5-5.

Occidental will travel back to Concordia University in Irvine, Calif. to tip off against Mount Saint Mary’s on Monday, Dec. 31 at 4:00 p.m. to round out play in 2007.