Anderson’s Double-Double Powers Oxy Past Mt. Saint Mary’s

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2007) –  Oxy ended 2007 on a winning note, recording a 77-56 victory over Mount Saint Mary College at the Surf City Classic hosted by Concordia University, Irvine.

Occidental never trailed in the contest after jumping out to a 14-3 lead. The Tigers maintained a double figure lead throughout the final 16 minutes of action, posting a 43 point second half performance. Overall, Oxy shot an outstanding 63% from the field in the second half, hitting 3-of-4 three point attempts and 6-of-8 free throw attempts in the final period.

Sophomore forward Sean Anderson turned in his second double-double performance of the season as he led all players with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He was 9-for-15 from the field, adding a 2-2 performance from the free throw line, while tallying a pair of blocks and dishing out a game high five assists.

In just 22 minutes of action Chris Hunt scored 19 points (3-for-3 from the free throw line) while pulling down seven rebounds and grabbing three steals. Also reaching double figure scoring was Chris Pitcher (15) and Huston Conti (11). Pitcher shot 7-for-8 from the field.

Tigers players scored 46 points in the paint. Depth off the Oxy bench again was beneficial as 25 of the 77 Oxy points came from non-starters.

The Tigers out-rebounded Mt. Saint Mary’s 39-23 and grabbed 17 offensive boards, scoring 22 second chance points. Anderson led all players with five offensive rebounds and Hunt had four.

Connor Whitman joined Anderson with a game leading five assists, while also grabbing six rebounds (three offensive). Gyan Alexander led all players with four steals. Whitman and Hunt were each credited with a block as well.

Tonight’s victory extends the Tigers’ win streak to seven games and puts their season total at 8-1. Mt. Saint Mary’s fell to 7-5.

Occidental returns to Rush Gymnasium on Jan. 2 for day one of the Oxy-Pomona-Pitzer Classic. The Tigers will tip off against the Chapman University Panthers at 7:00 p.m. after Pomona-Pitzer and St. Scholastica meet at 5:00 p.m. On day two, Pomona-Pitzer and Chapman will play at 5:00 p.m. before Oxy and St. Scholastica play in the tournament finale at 7:00 p.m.