LOS ANGELES – Andrew Johnson, Spencer Levy and Kris Montoya each scored at least 18 points, but the rest of the Occidental College men's basketball team struggled as they lost 78-68 against Bethesda on Saturday night at Rush Gymnasium.

It was a back-and-forth game in which neither team could take control of the momentum until the closing minutes when Bethesda went on a 16-4 run in a 6-minute stretch to pull away from the Tigers.

After a Jamelle Holieway breakaway layup put Bethesda up by six with 13:03 remaining in the game, Johnson, Levy and Montoya accounted for all of Oxy's next 12 points to give the Tigers a 60-59 lead with about 8 minutes left.

However, the Tigers went just 2 for 11 the rest of the way as they let the lead slip away. The Flames went 6 for 10 during the same stretch.

Johnson had the best night of his young career, finishing with 20 points and 8 rebounds, going 9 for 13 from the field.

Montoya had a hand in every aspect of the game, recording 19 points, five rebounds and two assists to go along with three blocks and three steals.

Levy added 18 points.

The rest of the Tigers managed just 11 points on 4 of 16 shooting. Juwan Rice, who went 11 for 15 from the field in his first two games, went just 1 for 4.

"I liked the shots we were getting, but we just didn't finish the plays tonight." Oxy head coach Brian Newhall said. "The same was true on the defensive end of the floor. When it comes down to it, you have to put the ball in the basket and get stops."

Oxy opens conference play next Wednesday when they travel to Caltech to face the Beavers at 7:30 pm.