LOS ANGELES -- The Occidental men's basketball team kept its winning streak rolling, beating UC Santa Cruz 71-56 at Rush Gym on Friday night. 

Caleb Yellin-Flaherty was outstanding in his first game back from injury, the Tigers locked down on defense and four players finished in double figures as Oxy shared the ball and took good shots for most of the game.

Yellin-Flaherty, who missed Oxy's last two games, led Oxy with 19 points on 9 for 12 shooting, and had five steals. He had one of the best games of his career with 25 points and 11 rebounds against Whittier in his last outing on Dec. 16.

Zach Baines, who set Oxy's single-game scoring record with 50 points in a win over Pacific (Ore.) in Oxy's last game, had 16 points.

Austin DeWitz had 14 points and six assists, Jonny Crosthwaite had 11 points and six rebounds, and Ryan Kaneshiro had four points, and a team-high seven rebounds and seven assists. Jacob Adler added seven points and three assists off the bench.

The Tigers are off to an 11-0 start to the season and are 2-0 in SCIAC with wins at La Verne and at home against Whittier.

Sam Gabbard led UC Santa Cruz with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Oxy played some of its best basketball of the season in the first half, opening up a 52-23 lead at the break. Oxy led by as many as 31 points and was able to rest guys down the stretch.

The Banana Slugs played physical basketball, beating Oxy on the glass 39-25, and earning more trips to the free throw line.

Oxy was able to turn the Banana Slugs over with doubles in the low post and aggressive off-ball defense.

The Tigers finished the game with 19 assists and just 12 turnovers. 

Next Game: Oxy returns to SCIAC play against Chapman on Jan. 2.