samsphotoservices.com

LOS ANGELES — The Occidental men's basketball team opened Round 2 of SCIAC play with an 82-60 win over La Verne at Rush Gym on Wednesday night.

The Tigers pounded the Leopards inside and on the fast break for easy baskets. Austin DeWitz led the Tigers with a game-high 26 points on 12 for 17 shooting, Zach Baines had 23 points on 10 for 17 shooting and Caleb Yellin-Flaherty added 17 points on 8 for 9 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Oxy won the battle on the boards 35-22.

When the Tigers put together stops they showed off their speed in transition, beating La Verne down the court for layups and uncontested short shots.

Oxy point guard Ryan Kaneshiro set the tone on defense, pressuring the Leopards and distorting what they wanted to do. He finished with nine assists, four rebounds, four points and no turnovers.

Jonny Crosthwaite played better defense as the game went on, fronting the post and playing good help side defense. He finished with five points, four rebounds and two assists and along with DeWitz, made life hard for La Vern'e best interior player Evan Gustafson. Gustafson, a 6-foot-6 senior post, came into the game shooting 62 percent from the field. He was effective when Oxy didn't double or came too late, finishing with 13 points on 5 for 7 shooting.

Jacob Adler gave Oxy an energetic spark off the bench and was solid on defense. He chipped in seven points, eight assists and two steals.

La Verne got hot for a stretch at the beginning of the first half from beyond the 3-point line, but cooled off later, finishing 9 for 24 from three.

La Verne first year Sinai Enoch led the Leopards with 16 points, including four threes, but went just 5 for 16 from the field overall.

Season Impact: Oxy improves to 15-3 overall and 6-3 in SCIAC. 

La Verne falls to 1-15 and 0-9 in SCIAC.

Next Game: Oxy is back in action on Saturday, hosting Caltech (8-9, 2-6 SCIAC) at 4 p.m.