MBB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Stags4Life · February 19, 2006, 01:12:25 AM

I wouldn't say it was a forgone conclusion, but CMS took care of business tonight defeating Occidental in front of a packed Ducey Gymnasium. The gym was rocking from the tip and the game did not dissapoint. The game was close the entire way but similar to the Pomona game, CMS held a small lead throughout and pulled it out with their great defense and some costly Oxy turnovers in the end.

The nets were cut down at Ducey Gymnasium as the Stags clinched the CO-Championship tonight. They must win one of their next two games to become the outright champions and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Great win for the Stags. Mani Maceria came up huge with a big 2-handed dunk on Sam Betty and maybe even another Tiger around there. He hit numerous 15 foot jumpshots as Zach Phillips was sagging off him for some reason. These jumpers were the Stags main offense in the final 5 min. John Parsons and Miles Taylor also led the Stags as Parsons controlled the offense and Taylor was unstoppable in the post fouling out Kostic late in the game. For Oxy, Phillips had a big game and Connor Whitman hit a few big threes to keep Oxy in it late. Betty was solid but did not have a huge MVP caliber game. In the end, the Stags pulled it out as they have done all of the SCIAC except for their lone loss. Congrats to the SCIAC Champion STAGS!

--Stags4Life

Stags4Life · February 19, 2006, 01:37:17 AM

Here's the Box: http://cms.claremont.edu/team/men%27sbasketball/05-06/oxy-cms.htm#GAME.BOX

As far as the All-SCIAC teams go, I would say Taylor gets MVP with Parsons and Maceira getting first team nods. The other two starters, Winterbottom and Borengasser, will probably end up on the second team. Anyone else have predictions for the entire league?

I am hoping Occidental can take care of business next week so we can get two SCIAC teams in the tournament.

--Stags4Life

Pat Coleman · February 19, 2006, 02:10:57 AM

This only clinches a tie for the title -- Oxy could win out and finish 11-3, with CMS losing out and finishing 11-3, forcing a playoff.

Sagecock · February 20, 2006, 01:17:09 AM

Following saturday's PP-CLU game I'm glad to report that Cal Lu's fans remain some of the classiest in the SCIAC. Improving upon their inventive "you are gay" chant began during the Oxy game, Cal Lu's fans took a page from another religious institution and began chanting "Brokeback Mountain" at Pomona's Tom Hollo while he was shooting freethrows. It's reassuring to know that Cal Lu fans are watching the news and staying abrest of current social debates.

http://www.kirotv.com/sports/7011667/detail.html?rss=sea&psp=sports

As always, you stay classy Cal Lu

p.s. Looking foward to the Oxy-PP game tommorow night, hopefully the Hens can bring it and pull down a 2nd place finish for this season

Pat Coleman · February 20, 2006, 03:18:32 AM

Alright, I gotta ask -- is there a reading problem in Southern California?

I ask because this week I got two e-mails and a phone call from readers asking why we didn't note Amir Mazerei's 57 points and Redlands' win against Occidental on the front page.

Of course, we did note it on the front page, about an hour after the game was over, in fact.

Tonight I got an e-mail from a Claremont-McKenna student asking why we hadn't posted CMS' win against Occidental on the front page. And of course, we did post it on the front page, mere minutes after the game ended!

What is the deal, people? Is it too much to read the front page before complaining??

K.C. · February 20, 2006, 10:37:30 AM

Excellent game played by CMS to clinch a share of the SCIAC Saturday. They truly proved they are the best team in the conference. My respect for Scalmanini as a coach has continued to grow over the last few years - this year he got more out of his players than anyone else. This is his first conference title with players he recruited solely ('02 seniors Donlan & Co. had been recruited by Coach Wells). He also seems to be a really cool guy, going out of his way to say "hello" or "thanks" to the fans before or after a game.

Nice effort by Phillips in the Oxy loss. He seemed to want it more than the rest of his team combined - probably because he's a senior and won't get another shot. Glad that he won it at least once with the 2003 squad.

I was very impressed with the Oxy turnout Saturday, and with the way they handled themselves. In my opinion, they are overall the classiest, most knowledgeable and most supportive fans in the conference. If Oxy Bob or any any other Oxy poster has influence in this, they are to be commended.

BTW, nice summary of the game itself, Stags4Life. I would have posted my own but there was really nothing much I could add to what you posted.

Howlinwolf · February 20, 2006, 05:02:29 PM

Good call, K.C., regarding the Oxy fans. I concur. Credit must go to the student "ringleaders" of the Oxy cheering section. They set the standard, and they've been incredible representatives of Oxy all year. My hats off to them. While the CMS crowd chipped in with their "BS" and "Claremont rejects" chants, the Oxy fans maintained their poise and class. Good students, good people.

An Oxy win tonight may insure double SCIAC inclusion in the playoffs. Hope they bring their 'A' game.

OxyFan21 · February 20, 2006, 05:52:43 PM

I am sitting here anxious for the game tonight @ PP. When the schedule first came out, I noticed the @ CMS, @ PP matchups towards the end of the year. Two trips to Claremont in two days is never easy, regardless of what's at stake.

Win tonight first, then win vs. Caltech on Thursday. The Caltech game cannot be overlooked either.

GO TIGERS!

OXY Oswald · February 20, 2006, 06:23:24 PM

Quote from: K.C. on February 20, 2006, 10:37:30 AM
I was very impressed with the Oxy turnout Saturday, and with the way they handled themselves. In my opinion, they are overall the classiest, most knowledgeable and most supportive fans in the conference. If Oxy Bob or any any other Oxy poster has influence in this, they are to be commended.

Thanks for the compliment. Myself, Eye of the Tiger, and El Tigre are actually helping Coach Newhall out with the rooter buses and organizing the student section.

Can't wait for the game tonight. Whitman had a huge game against Pomona in the first half of SCIAC play [9-17 FG%, including 6 three pointers], and Betty who's been in a funk lately played a great game against the Sagehens finishing with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Look for them to take control of the game and lead the Tigers to a "W".

Go Tigers!

Stags4Life · February 20, 2006, 07:03:14 PM

Quote from: K.C. on February 20, 2006, 10:37:30 AM
BTW, nice summary of the game itself, Stags4Life. I would have posted my own but there was really nothing much I could add to what you posted.

Thanks K.C., I was also impressed with the Oxy fans, they are very supportive and classy. They even clapped for CMS as the crowd rushed the floor. Although, I am not a fan of the "**** the Tigers" chants, I do not mind the "Claremont Rejects" chant. There is definitely a line that is crossed many times by fans and the Oxy fans are really good at never crossing it. Credit goes out mostly to the students who lead the chants as the other fans just follow along.

As far as Scalmanini goes, I think he is one of the best, if not the best coach in the SCIAC right now. He utilized what he had this year to its full potential and really got the best out of his players. He is a great guy on and off the court and I look forward to see how much he can accomplish during the rest of his career.

Good Luck to Oxy tonight at Pomona and hopefully CMS can clinch the automatic berth at La Verne.

--Stags4Life

OxyFan21 · February 21, 2006, 12:13:46 AM

Oxy 56
Pomona-Pitzer 56
OT

Knowles hits a 3 with 5 seconds left to tie the game for Pomona.

Lord Chaos · February 21, 2006, 12:25:42 AM

Knowles can hit that three.

OxyFan21 · February 21, 2006, 12:26:50 AM

Oxy 63
Pomona-Pitzer 67

Final.

Oxy had a chance, but did not get three important defensive boards. PP scores the last 7 of OT.

Lord Chaos · February 21, 2006, 12:28:44 AM

is anyone following the stags vs. la verne game?

fosheezie · February 21, 2006, 12:39:43 AM

Great to see the Sagecocks get a big win over Oxy. My man Knowles is great under pressure. Too bad it gets the Stags the title. But the difference between PP, Oxy, and CMS, is who gets the bounces or makes that one play at the end. All losses PP has had are close ones, so the SCIAC once again proves to be very even.

On a memorable note. Last game ever for the Kingsman in their airplane hanger. No more deadspots, bad flip scoreboards, non-inventive football geeks, or Coach Daines yelling in your ear what you are running before it is even called. They will move across the street in a building that will do nothing but strengthen their recruiting and make them tougher next year. Already my prediction for next year is a Kingsmen title.