Gavin Keohane scored 22 points and Dallin Wilson added 19 Saturday night
to lead Occidental College to an 82-74 victory in an exhibition basketball
game at Cal State Fullerton.
The NCAA Div. III Tigers made 13 of 23 3-point field goals and 13 of 15
free throws in beating an NCAA Div. I team that was playing without six
of its top players. Derick Andrew, Bron Groomes and Babacar Camara each
scored 17 points to lead the Titans, who had a 2-hour practice earlier
in the day in preparation for Monday night’s home opener against
Morris Brown College.
The Tigers were outrebounded, 41-24, but offset that disadvantage with
their perimeter marksmanship and by committing only 8 turnovers. Fullerton
made only 3 of 12 3-pointers and only 9 of 19 at the foul line.
Occidental took control of the game early. After a Camara layup gave the
Titans an 11-10 lead, the Tigers went on a 10-0 run for a 20-11 lead.
After another Camara basket, Derek Renee hit back-to-back threes for Occidental
for a 26-13 lead. Oxy settled for a 46-37 lead at intermission and didn’t
let the Titans get any closer than 4 points, that occurring only in the
final two minutes.
Fullerton starters Pape Sow (injured), Brandon Campbell (foot injury),
Ralphy Holmes (discipline) and Anthony Bolton (discipline) were in street
clothes. Substitutes Amir Bar-Netzer (ill) and Denver Lopez (ankle injury)
also did not play.
Occidental hit only 5 of 19 3-point tries in its last game, a 77-64 loss
at Azusa Pacific.
