LOS ANGELES — The Occidental men's basketball team defended its way past UC Merced, beating the Bobcats 63-49 at Rush Gym on Saturday.

The Tigers improve to 8-2 on the season.

UC Merced falls to 5-8.

Oxy pressured the ball well and contested every shot in a smothering first half that held UC Merced to just 12 points and got the Tigers out to a 35-12 lead. The Bobcats shot just 35 percent for the game and 17 percent in the first half.

The Tigers got a little fatigued late, but were able to hold off a much better offensive second half from UC Merced.

Austin DeWitz scored 21 points on 10 for 17 shooting, including a couple of key transition baskets late in the second half to keep the lead at 15 points as the Bobcats started to make a run. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, had three assists and one block.

Zach Baines scored 18 points on 8 for 18 shooting and stepped up his defensive effort, giving the Tigers a surge of energy in the first half.

Ryan Kaneshiro scored four points, dished out eight assists, grabbed nine rebounds and had just one turnover.

Caleb Yellin-Flaherty was effective on the offensive glass and scored when he got his opportunities, finishing with eight points on 4 for 5 shooting, to go along with four rebounds.

Jonny Crosthwaite was a big part of Oxy's defense, grabbing seven rebounds with a pair of assists and six points in all 40 minutes played. 

Jeevin Sandhu and Jacob Adler each gave the Tigers a first-half 3-pointer in the first half. 

Jonah Cottrell led UC Merced with 15 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Derek E'denchukwu scored 12 points.