News Release

Pasadena, CA — A tenacious Caltech team would not concede victory to a powerful Occidental squad tonight at Braun Gymnasium. Connor Whitman continued to emerge for the Tigers as a strong backcourt threat to give balance to the inside tandem of Sam Betty and Zach Phillips. Whitmans 5 three's in the first half were the difference for Oxy to lead Caltech at the break 39-31. Caltech was trailing by 2 with 5:49 remaining in the half on 2 free throws by senior Jordan Carlson (16 of 18 from the line for the evening). A three point play from All-American candidate Betty (16 points, 7 reb, 5 ast) pushed the lead back to 5 and late jumpers from Ivan Kostic provided the thrust to an 8 point lead.

In the second half, a dogged Caltech squad got to within 5 in the opening minutes but Oxy immediately responded to re-assert the 7-9 point cushion over the next 4 minutes. With solid offensive play and a tiring Caltech team, Oxy with Whitman and Kostic central figures again pushed the lead to 19 points, 66-47, on a basket by Justin Zebb with 9:07 remaining. Although the game was in hand the Beavers carved out a 12-4 run to get within 11. A steal by senior Scott Davies on the ensuing defensive stand was followed by an empty possession by the Beavers ending the run and an opportunity to get to a single digit deficit. Oxy managed the game in the final 4 minutes for a solid 14 point victory.

Occidental shot 60% for the game but did turn the ball over 17 times. The Beavers made 22 of 29 free throws as a team and finished -2 on the rebounding margin but did secure 16 offensive boards. Jordan Carlson scored 29 points to lead Caltech. Connor Whitman had 30 points for Oxy.