LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Facing conference leading Occidental on the road this evening, Cal Lutheran controlled the momentum during the majority of the first half, but the second half belonged to the Tigers as the Regals fell 62-47, snapping a four-game win streak.
Box Score: OXY 62, CLU 47 - F
In the early goings it was, as anticipated, a close battle between the top ranked Tigers and the current third place Regals at Rush Gymnasium. The squads were never separated by more than four points in the opening half, with CLU leading for much of the period before Oxy went on a 6-2 run over the final two minutes to take a 30-26 advantage at the intermission.
The scoring in the first half was spread out for Cal Lutheran with eight different players finding the bottom of the net. The Regals combined to go 8-for-10 at the free-throw line in the first 20 minutes.
After the break, however, the momentum had shifted to the home team as Oxy came storming out with seven unanswered points before the CLU offense got going. The Regals, unfortunately never found a groove in the second stanza.
At the 6:04 mark Marquisha Corley connected for a basket that gave the Tigers a double figure lead, which was too much for the Regals to overcome down the stretch.
The ball was not falling for the Regals tonight as they shot just 25 percent from the floor as a team. Occidental finished at a 39.2 percent clip. Oxy also out rebounded CLU 45-33, coming down with 18 offensive boards that they turned into 18 points. CLU grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the game.
Makenzie Brandon went off for 23 points, 11 coming from the charity stripe, and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double for Oxy. Teammate Katelyn Rowe led all players with 13 rebounds.
Cal Lutheran had 11 different players score with Chelsey Hastigan leading the way with nine. Starla Wright had a team high six rebounds in 20 minutes of action off the CLU bench. Cameron Jones also contributed off the bench with six points, going 3-for-4 at the line, five rebounds and a block.
With the victory, Occidental locked up its fifth consecutive SCIAC title.
Cal Lutheran has already secured a spot in the SCIAC Post Season Tournament set to begin Thursday, Feb. 23 at a time and location yet to be determined.
Cal Lutheran (16-8, 9-4 SCIAC) returns home for the final game of the 2012 regular season on Saturday, Feb. 18 when they host the University of Redlands (17-7, 11-2). Prior to the game CLU will recognize its seniors who will be appearing at CLU for the final time.
