LOS ANGELES — The Occidental men's basketball team played its best offensive basketball of the season on its way to an 87-73 victory over Pomona-Pitzer at Rush Gym on Saturday.
The Tigers moved well on offense, found the open player and lit up the scoreboard with big shot after big shot.
Caleb Yellin-Flaherty led the way in the first half, scoring 25 of his game-high 30 points in the period, including 4 for 4 from 3-point range. He finished the afternoon 11 for 15 from the field, and also had seven assists, five rebounds and four steals.
The only thing that could slow Yellin-Flaherty down was a little bit of foul trouble midway through the second half.
The Tigers were up 45-34 at the break.
In the second, Sydney Shipp got hot down the stretch to ice the game, scoring 18 of his 25 points in the final 20 minutes. He went 9 for 16 from the field and 5 for 9 from three. Every time Pomona-Pitzer looked like it might fight its way back into the game, Shipp was there with a dagger three.
Jacob Adler had 16 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and was 4 for 8 from deep, Ryan Kaneshiro added six points, 10 assists and four rebounds, Kyle Dosa had seven points and four rebounds and Evan Dray had three points and three steals for Oxy.
Anthony Hollerich was solid for the Tigers off the bench in 14 minutes played.
Oxy totaled 30 assists as a group, shot 14 of 27 from three for 52 percent, and shot 54 percent from the field for the game.
The efficient offensive performance helped Oxy overcome its struggles on the boards as the Tigers were outrebounded 39-24.
Micah Elan led the Sagehens with 18 points and six assists, Adam Rees had 14 points, Pavle Rohalj had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Matthew Eberle scored 13 off the bench.
Season Impact: The Tigers improve to 13-4 overall and 5-3 in SCIAC play.
Pomona-Pitzer falls to 12-4 and 6-2.
Next Game: The Tigers are back in action against Chapman at home on Wednesday at 7 p.m.