Occidental Narrows Its Scope of Attack in Win Over Redlands

It was a testimonial of sorts for the two-point shot.

The Occidental College basketball team, which relies heavily on its inside game, used the deuce to reach three figures and beat Redlands, 100-82, Saturday night in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game.

Redlands, (12-9, 3-4 in conference play), which led the nation in Division III scoring (102 points a game) coming into the game, has no qualms about gunning from beyond the three-point stripe. In fact, the Bulldogs put up 28 shots from that distance.

There was a problem, however. The Bulldogs made just 10 and their long-distance ace, Perry Bellaire, made two of 12.

“We just don’t shoot the three,” said Occidental Coach Brian Newhall, whose team made only one. “We don’t think that’s the way to win.”

With the score tied, 59-59, and 12 minutes to play, Occidental turned to its inside game and mounted a 13-3 rally. Tiger center Chris Anderson, who at 6-foot-10 was six inches taller than the player defending him, scored on a 12-foot turnaround jump shot, a layup and a slam dunk.

The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 82-75 with about three minutes to play but were unable to sustain that momentum.

Redlands led, 46-45, at the intermission.

Occidental came out smoking and built an 18-8 lead four minutes into the game.

Anderson scored six points in the opening flurry. John Keister, who finished with a game-high 26 points, opened the scoring with a 17-foot baseline jump shot and later buried a three-point shot and a spinning bank shot in the key.

The Bulldogs battled back, however, and Robert Stone’s two free throws forged a 23-23 tie with 11:02 to play.

Later, the Tigers took a 41-36 advantage, but were unable to pull away.

Ethan Caldwell scored 21 points and had eight assists and Anderson added 20 points.

Redlands was paced by Bellaire (23 points) and Stone (16).