Author: Henry Meier
For the first time in the history of the Occidental College women’s basketball program, the team will represent the SCIAC in NCAA post-season play. After a tremendous season in which the Tigers set new school records for wins in a season and won both the regular season and SCIAC tournament crowns, the Tigers now find themselves in another historic position.After easily defeating Whittier in the first round of the SCIAC tournament last Thursday, Oxy faced off against La Verne in the rubber match between the two SCIAC heavyweights in the tourney final. After splitting a pair of hotly contested regular season games, both teams were on the prowl for the defining victory that would put them into the NCAA tournament.
Playing in front of a packed house in Rush Gym, the two teams engaged in a defensive battle. The Tigers managed an especially gritty defensive effort in the first half that allowed them to take a 21-14 lead into the break. Oxy opened the second half with back-to-back baskets that gave them a double digit lead and while the Leopards made a couple runs, Oxy effectively held them at bay for the remainder of the game, winning by a final score of 51-37.
The ensuing celebration was a culmination not only of this year’s team’s tremendous dedication and work ethic, but also a high note for Oxy’s women’s basketball program as a whole. A host of Oxy supporters stuck around to witness the team cut down the nets and soak in the sights and sounds of their accomplishment.
The NCAA announced Monday Oxy will be playing at Chapman in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 pm.
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