CLAREMONT — Andrew Johnson scored 21 points on 10 of 14 shooting and Austin DeWitz added 11 points, nine rebounds and excellent defense in all 40 minutes played.

But the Occidental men's basketball team had a bumpy start to the second half and Pomona-Pitzer made plays down the stretch in a 71-59 win over the Tigers in Claremont on Saturday.

Johnson was effective from the baseline, hitting 15-foot jumper after 15-foot jumper against Pomona-Pitzer's 2-3 zone defense. 

Brandon Ruotolo gave Oxy a lift off the bench with nine points on a pair of threes in the first half and one more in the second. Ruotolo, Jeevin Sandhu and Joe Compagno helped Oxy go on an 18-3 run in the middle of the first half after starting the game in a 9-0 hole.

The Tigers led 26-21 at the break, but couldn't sustain the same enthusiasm and energy on defense as Pomona-Pitzer's offense hit its stride for 50 points in the second half. The Sagehens went on a 14-4 run in less than 4 minutes to take control of the game.

Zach Baines, a sophomore transfer from Middlebury, scored nine points and had four rebounds. Compagno had six points and three assists.

Pomona-Pitzer got most of its production from its talented three perimeter players. First year guard Micah Elan scored 25 points, Corbin Koch added 23 and Daniel Rosenbaum scored 11.

Season Impact: The Tigers fall to 9-7 and 1-6 in SCIAC.

Pomona-Pitzer improves to 8-6 and 5-1.

Next Game: The Tigers are back in action on Thursday at home against Redlands.