Tigers Tear Past Golden Eagles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2007) – In the final game before winter break, the Tigers came out to play, shooting 55.3% from the field in the first half to double up La Sierra University at the half en route to a 96-59 victory at Rush Gymnasium tonight.

Depth seemed to be key for the Tigers tonight as thirteen different Tigers scored with 41 of the 96 points coming off the bench. Sophomore Gillian Nugent led the charge with 14 (4-for-6 from long range), followed closely by Laura Mohler with 13. Three other Oxy players, Stephanie Babij (11), Stacie Roshon (10) and Samantha Rossi (10), hit double figures as well.

Occidental out rebounded La Sierra 59-30, with 22 coming on the offensive side of the court. The Tigers turned second chances into 24 points, while the Golden Eagles scored none. Brianne Brown grabbed a game high 13 rebounds (nine coming in the first half) while Roshon pulled down seven and Babij tallied six.

Oxy took care of the ball tonight, turning it over just 11 times while supplying teammates with 30 assists.

Sophomore guard Britinee Yasukochi led all players with eight assists. Brown dished out six with Mohler and Roshon adding five apiece. Additionally, Brown recorded a game high three blocks while she and Yasukochi each stole the ball three times.

Caitlin Morgan saw her first collegiate action tonight, grabbing a rebound and recording an assist.

La Sierra was led by 10 points from Cambria Smith and five rebounds from Malika Jones. Latrina Woods finished with nine points and a team high three assists.

With the win the Tigers improve to 4-1 overall while the Golden Eagles fall to 2-7.  

The Tigers will be back on the court when they host the Tiger-Poet Classic on December 17-18, 2007 in Rush Gymnasium. The opening game of the tournament will feature Whittier College vs. Wartburg (IA) at 3:00 p.m. before Occidental and Viterbo (WI) tip off at 5:00 p.m.