Tigers Fall in a Shootout

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2009) - After scoring 94 points in its season opening victory, the Tigers surrender 89 points in a road loss to the Westmont Warriors.  The #18 ranked NAIA Warriors led by 10 in a low scoring first half, before both teams combined for 100 second half points, with Westmont taking the half (52-48) and the game 89-75.

A low scoring first half opened with a tight five minutes of basketball, as the only two lead changes of the game took place in the opening stanza, as the Tigers held an 11-10 lead on a jumper by Freshman Makenzie Brandon with 15 minutes left in the half.  Their last lead of the game, as the Warriors would strike back with a long three by Jessica Case.  Westmont would hold a slim lead for most of the half until finishing with a 9-3 run and its first double digit lead (37-27).

After defense dominated the first half, both teams put their offense on full display, with Westmont coming out on fire.  Pushing the lead to 18 with 14:39 left to play, but Oxy battled back to cut the game to 11 on a three by Junior Laura Mohler and back to back baskets by Junior Stephanie Babij.  From then on the two teams seemingly would trade baskets as the Tigers could not get the lead down into single digits.  The Oxy offense stalled, allowing the Warriors to stretch the lead to 20 with 5:46 to play and in essence putting the game away.

Mohler led Oxy with 13 points, while Brandon pulled down a double double with 12 points and a game high 13 rebounds.  She also led the Tigers with five assists.  Babij tied Mohler with 13 points and Junior Dior Williams rounded out the double digit scoring with 11 of her own.

For Westmont, Case led all scorers with 21 points while Amber Stevens dished out a game high 8 assists for the 4-0 nationally ranked Warriors.

Next up for the Tigers is a home match up with the Chapman Panthers on Tuesday, Nov. 24 with tip-off at 7:30 p.m.