Sagehens Shock Stags, Again.
CLAREMONT, CA -- The Stag seniors were honored before a packed house at Saturday's 6th Street rivalry game verses Pomona-Pitzer, but the Sagehens quickly turned the celebration sour and defeated the SCIAC regular season champions 70-56.
Both teams shot poorly in the first half as both teams shot under 30% from the field. The Sagehens took an early lead in the first five minutes, but the Stags were able to fight back and tie the game at 23-23. In the second half, the Sagehens took control of the game early by building on a quick scoring run. The Stags had trouble getting their shots to fall in the second half, shooting 13-40. The big men for Pomona-Pitzer held the Stags to only 16 points in the paint. Because of their lack of offense, the Stags were forced to shoot from the perimeter, which also proved to be unsuccessful as the Stags shot 6-29 from behind the arc.
Junior Chris Blees (Carmichael) led the Stags with 21 points, but was only 6-18 from the field. Jason Toney (SR, Yorba Linda) scored in double-digits with 11 points and Patrick Lacey (JR, Orangevale) tied a game-high by grabbing eight rebounds.
The Stags have lost both regular season games to the Sagehens and could possibly host Pomona-Pitzer in the semifinals of the SCIAC tournament. Until then, CMS will finish the regular season on the road at Cal Lutheran on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.