CLAREMONT, Calif. — Pomona-Pitzer women's basketball won 63-59 against Occidental Wednesday night at home.
Season Impact: The victory puts the Sagehens at 8-6 on the season, including 3-2 in SCIAC play.
Jadyn Lee led the Sagehens with a new season high 22 points on an efficient 10-of-14 shooting night, while Emily Lee and Avery Patricco each added 10 points. Abigail Homan pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, and Kayla Malek anchored the offense with five assists in the 63-point team performance.
The Sagehens opened the game with an early spark behind buckets from Sara Chicco and strong defensive pressure that created steals and transition opportunities. The Sagehens traded leads throughout the quarter, highlighted by a three from Homan and mid-range scoring from J. Lee and Sofia Robel. The Tigers struggled shooting from behind the arc but closed the period with a late basket to edge Pomona-Pitzer 16–15 at the end of the first quarter.
Occidental controlled much of the second quarter behind efficient interior scoring and their threes started falling, building a lead that grew to as many as nine. The Sagehens stayed within striking distance thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Patricco and strong defensive activity that produced multiple steals. Despite the Sagehens' efforts to close the gap with points in the paint and trips to the free-throw line late in the period, Occidental maintained momentum and carried a 35–27 advantage into halftime.
Pomona-Pitzer surged in the third quarter with a strong defensive effort and transition offense, trimming a double-digit deficit and eventually taking the lead. J. Lee fueled the comeback with multiple baskets in the paint and on the break, while Malek sparked momentum with key steals and assists. The Sagehens closed the quarter on a 16–5 run to grab a 45–42 advantage heading into the final period.
The Sagehens closed the game with composure in the fourth quarter. J. Lee and Lee combined for key buckets in the paint, while Homan and Malek secured rebounds and drew fouls to generate points at the line late. Despite a late three from Occidental, the Sagehens sealed the 63–59 win with clutch free throws and defensive stops down the stretch.
Up Next: The Sagehens continue SCIAC play on Saturday, Jan. 17 at home against La Verne. Tipoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. PT.
