Classic Day 4: Oxy sweeps; La Verne, Lakers split

More news about: La Verne | Occidental | Oswego State
Dec 30, 2023
 
Toni Thompson and Occidental are flying high after two wins at the 2023 D3hoops.com Classic.
Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com
 

LAS VEGAS -- No. 4 Oswego State and La Verne earned splits while the Occidental women completed a perfect showing in the final day of the 2023 D3hoops.com Classic.

No. 4 Oswego State rebounded from its loss to No. 8 Case Western in a big way, as the Lakers blasted No. 21 Pomona-Pitzer, 79-50. 

All times Eastern
Dec. 27
W:
Final
at Framingham State 71, Westminster (Mo.) 48
Video Box Score Photos
Dec. 28
W:
Final
at Rhodes 71, La Verne 51
Video Box Score Photos
W:
Final
at Ohio Northern 72, Trinity (Texas) 65
Video Box Score Photos Photos
M:
Final
at Husson 96, La Verne 75
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
at Rhodes 84, Whittier 79
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
at Trinity (Texas) 84, Clark 83
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
at Case Western Reserve 87, Oswego State 74
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 29
W:
Final
Occidental 67, at Westminster (Mo.) 59
Video Box Score Photos
W:
Final
Trinity (Texas) 83, at Framingham State 74
Video Box Score Photos
W:
Final
at La Verne 57, Ohio Northern 50
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
Trinity (Texas) 83, at Pomona-Pitzer 62
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
Case Western Reserve 98, at Clark 87
Video Box Score Recap Photos
M:
Final
Husson 85, at Whittier 71
Video Box Score Photos
Dec. 30
W:
Final
at Occidental 86, Rhodes 65
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
at La Verne 85, Rhodes 61
Video Box Score Photos
M:
Final
at Oswego State 79, Pomona-Pitzer 50
Video Box Score Photos

All-American Jeremiah Sparks busted out for 29 points in just 25 minutes and the Lakers outscored the Sagehens, 42-9, from behind the arc. Oswego State also coverted 15 Pomona-Pitzer turnovers into 21 points and had a 23-9 bench scoring advantage. 

La Verne built some momentum ahead of its return to conference play with an 85-61 victory over Rhodes. La Verne guard Paul Antonis scored 15 points, including a three just before the halftime break, and led La Verne into the locker room with a 42-32 lead.

In the second half, Rhodes tried to rally behind the scoring prowess of guard Phil Dotson III, who scored 27 points in 27 minutes. But the Leopards went 24 for 30 from the foul line and sustained their double-digit lead through the final buzzer.

Dahmaj Warren racked up 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists for La Verne (4-5), earning himself a spot on the All-Classic team. Rhodes record dipped to 6-5 ahead of its road game at conference favorite Berry.

Occidental is the lone women’s team to go 2-0 at this year’s Classic after the Tigers ran past Rhodes, 86-65.

After a close first half, Occidental broke the game open in the third quarter by outscoring the Lynx, 28-15. The Tigers converted 10 Rhodes turnovers into 17 points and shot 56 percent from the field. Toni Thompson scored 10 of her game-high 23 points in the pivotal period with a dazzling array of drives to the basket.

Occidental (10-1) outscored Rhodes in the paint, 50-30, as Ainsley Shelsta and Paige Yasukochi tallied 13 points apiece. Thompson was named the Classic’s Most Outstanding Player in recognition of her 46-point and 21-rebound effort across two games.

Avery Marsh, who was named to the All-Classic team, scored 20 points for Rhodes (5-5).