Author: Mirin Fader
The Occidental men’s basketball team (8-10 overall; 2-5 SCIAC) defeated Cal Tech (4-14 overall; 0-7 SCIAC) 53-43 in Rush Gymnasium last Wednesday night. However, the Tigers fell 55-52 in overtime at Cal Lutheran (9-9 overall; 3-4 SCIAC) Saturday night.
In Wednesday’s game against Cal Tech, Occidental shot exceptionally well: 48.7 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from the 3-point line and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
Forward Kris Montoya (first-year) scored 22 points on 8-12 shooting, while grabbing 9 rebounds (just shy of a double-double) in addition to 2 blocks. Forward Deshun McCoy (sophomore) also led the balanced effort offensively, contributing 16 points on an efficient 6-12 shooting. Occidental guard Jack Hanley (junior) scored 12 points, while adding 4 steals.
However, though the Tigers’ defense forced 13 Cal Tech turnovers, Occidental was plagued by 16 turnovers.
Defensively, the Tigers held Cal Tech to a dismal 33.3 percent from the field, 11.1 percent from the 3 point line (2-18) and 61.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Cal Tech was led by guards Mike Paluchniak (first-year) and Todd Cramer (first-year), who both scored 12 points. Guard/forward (sophomore) Mike Edwards added 11 points.
The rebound battle was even with 28 total for both teams. However, Cal Tech beat Occidental on the offensive glass 10 to 4. Occidental led by a modest 10 points at the half (24-14), holding Cal Tech to their lowest opening of the season (shooting 19.2 percent from the field, 5-26). However, Cal Tech’s offensive rebounding (and outhustling the Tigers at times) allowed them more shot opportunities, and therefore chances to keep the game close throughout the second half of the game.
Despite Occidental’s improved defense after half-time (where they had 7 out of their total 10 steals), Cal Tech substantially raised their offensive production to shoot 52.6 percent from the field in the second half.
Cal Tech, refusing to quit, came as close as 5 points, trailing 43-38 with 6:09 left in regulation.
Consecutive threes by Kris Montoya (scoring 15 of his 22 points during the second half) finally allowed Occidental to pull ahead to win by 10 points, 53-43.
Occidental’s win versus Cal Tech was the Tigers’ second SCIAC win, their first against Pomona-Pitzer at Occidental (Jan. 22): 42-30.
“Our defense has been what won us these last few games. If we can keep defending like we have been then we’ll be in every game,” guard Sam Stapleton (sophomore) said.
Head coach Brian Newhall commented on the parity and level of play of the SCIAC, in which teams with traditionally losing records like Caltech have the ability to win on any given night.
“The league is very balanced this year. Our home losses to Redlands and La Verne put us in a bit of a hole. Claremont and Whittier on the road are always very tough games. We have three freshmen, three sophomores and two juniors in our eight player rotation,” Newhall said.
Despite Occidental’s youth and perhaps inexperience, they are learning what it takes to compete at a high level every night.
“We are figuring out the formula to win games consistently, and look forward to having a great second half of the season. Cal Tech had nothing to lose and competed hard,” guard Nick Robinson (sophomore) said.
In Saturday’s game versus Cal Lutheran, Occidental shot 40 percent from the field while holding CLU to 35 percent from the field.
Occidental was led by Jack Hanley’s 16 points and 7 rebounds, along with sophomore guard Sam Stapleton’s 12 points on 6-9 shooting. Forward Jake Copithorne (junior) led both teams with a game high of 11 rebounds. Deshun McCoy (sophomore), though mostly sidelined with foul trouble, managed to add 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Freshman Drew Dockweiler (first-year) also contributed 9 points, and hit key free-throws in overtime to give Occidental the lead.
Cal Tech was led by guard Greg Grimm (senior), who finished with a game high of 29 points, including 6 three-pointers to go along with 8 rebounds. Aaron Van Klaveren and Jayvaughn Nettles both contributed 10 points apiece, with Van Klaveren adding 10 rebounds for a double-double.The score was tied 22-22 at the half.
Though both teams tied the rebounding battle with 40 total, CLU edged Occidental on the offensive glass with 16 total compared to Occidental’s 11 total.
Despite both teams’ poor free-throw shooting (53 percent for Occidental, 36 percent for CLU), CLU dominated Occidental in three-point shooting with 36 percent compared to Occidental’s 22 percent.
Yet the game was close throughout, with 10 lead changes and 7 ties. A three by Hanley forced overtime.
Grimm scored all eight CLU overtime points, as the Kingsmen won by 3 points, 55-52.
Coach Newhall was impressed with his team’s performance in the two game stretch. “Our effort has been outstanding the last two games. We will continue to work on our execution,” Newhall said.
The team echoes Newhall’s commitment to improvement as the season progresses. “We’re still a work in progress in terms of finding our identity as a team,” Stapleton said.
Occidental looks forward to their next two games, Wednesday, February 2 at Redlands, and Saturday, February 5 versus Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
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