Occidental, ranked 16th in the latest D3Hoops.com top 25, improved to 14-1 overall, 5-0 in SCIAC play.
CMS jumped out to a 12-2 lead seven minutes into the first half after consecutive three-pointers by John Parsons, a former SCIAC Athlete of the Week. Occidental cut the Stags’ lead to three at halftime and used an 8-0 run to take its first lead midway through the second half on a three-pointer by Connor Whitman.
The Tigers never trailed in the last ten minutes of the game but never led by more than six, sealing the win on a pair free throws by Zach Phillips with ten seconds remaining.
Junior forward Sam Betty led the Tigers with 14 points, two blocks, and three steals. Ivan Kostic tallied nine points and dished four assists while Gemayal McBride scored eight. Whitman finished with six points on two three-pointers, both coming at key moments down the stretch.
“Gemayal and Gyan Alexander played a big role in our holding CMS to 23 second-half points,” said veteran head coach Brian Newhall. “And I want to thank the students, alumni, faculty, and administrators who came out to support our team. This was the largest Wednesday night crowd we’ve had in my 20 years at Oxy.”
Miles Taylor led the Stags with 18 points on seven of 11 shooting from the floor. After hitting his first two shots, Parsons was held scoreless the rest of the game.
Pomona-Pitzer (10-6, 4-1) edged Cal Lutheran 65-62 Wednesday night behind 19 points from Alexander Lloyd, the 2005 SCIAC Player of the Year. The Sagehens’ win coupled with CMS’ loss creates a two-way tie for second behind Oxy in the SCIAC standings.