Tigers Settle for Tournament Split

CHAPMAN, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2007) – Occidental College managed a split at the Tiger-Panther Classic with a victory over Monmouth (IN) College after dropping the opening game to Anderson (IN) University last night at the Hutton Center on the campus of host Chapman University.

Brianne Brown led the Tigers to a 68-55 victory on the final day of 2007 with a huge double-double that included 20 points and 17 rebounds.

Occidental opened the game with a 17-4 run. They went on to take a double figure lead, that they wouldn’t relinquish, with 14:43 to play in the first half.

Oxy forced 25 turnovers that led to 30 points. Twenty-two of those points came in the first half as the Tigers took a 42-25 advantage at the mid-way point.  

The Tigers and Fighting Scots each grabbed 41 rebounds, but Oxy pulled down 17 offensive boards, which led to 18 second chance points. Brown finished with eight offensive rebounds in the game.

Stacie Roshon and Ashley Yeast finished with 17 points apiece for the Oxy and Monmouth, respectively. Brown shot 6-for-9 from the field and was 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Jessie Cross was 4-for-5 shooting free throws. Laura Mohler dished out four assists, while Brown added three. Mohler also chipped in with seven points.

Defensively Brittany Mally led all players with four blocks.

With the win the Tigers improved to 7-2 on the season.

On day one, Oxy dropped a close 66-63 contest to Anderson. After taking a 38-27 halftime advantage, the tides turned and the Tigers put up just 25 points to the Ravens’ 39.

With 7:25 remaining in regulation the score was tied, at 53-53, for the third and final time of the evening. Anderson went on a 7-0 run, leaving the Tigers trailing with just over three minutes to play.

Roshon and Britinee Yasukochi hit back-to-back baskets, cutting the deficit to two. AU went on to make 6-of-7 free throw attempts in the final 1:32, while Oxy added just five points.

Roshon led all players with 22 points, hitting 7-of-13 from the field, including three long shots. She also added three steals.

Cross and freshman Stephanie Babij each pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Ravens had two players with double-double performances including Kayla Martin who led AU with 20 points, adding 10 rebounds, and Tiffany Bowesher who led AU with 14 rebounds, adding 12 points. Mandy Seward also hit double figures with a 19 point performance.

Occidental will be back in action on Jan. 4 when they travel to Santa Barbara, Calif. to take on Westmont College at 5:30 p.m.