LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Saint Joseph's College (7-3) rallied from an early-game deficit and forced overtime, but ultimately fell to Occidental College (2-7), 66-64, on Wednesday in what was the Monks' last of two West Coast contests.

The Tigers jumped out to a 22-9 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game by pressing the Monks into quick shots and turnovers. Oxy forced 10 turnovers in the first half, taking a 38-34 lead into the break.

Saint Joseph's chipped away at Oxy's first half lead at the free throw line, sinking 13 of 16. Eight of the makes came off of fouls away from the basket, allowing the Monks to go into the half down by only four points, 38-34.

The Monks began the second half with a 9-1 run, taking their first lead of the game with a Morgan Cahill layup 2 minutes into the period. Cahill and Emily Kehoe kept Saint Joseph's in the game combining for 39 points.

The Tigers stayed close with Monks, never falling behind by more than four points. Grace Baranowski hit a 3-pointer from the corner in transition to regain Oxy's lead 50-49 with 10:04 left in the game.

Tiffany Kho, Oxy's point guard who sets the tone on both ends of the court, finished with 17 points, six assists and two steals. She hit a 15-foot jump shot from the elbow, tying the score at 56 with 3:35 remaining, and then Haley Graham followed it up with a 3-pointer from the top of the key on a kick out from Kho, giving Oxy a 59-56 lead with 2:41 left.

With the score tied at 59 and 33 seconds left, Kho was fouled going for a rebound on a missed jump shot by Sarah Assante and sunk two free throws at the other end. But Cahill countered with an offensive rebound and a bucket at the other end of the court, sending the game into overtime tied at 61.

The Monks took the first lead of the extra period following a layup by Cahill and a free throw by Emily Quirion.

But with 1:54 remaining, Kho found an open Haley Graham who sank a 3-pointer to tie the game 64-64.

A minute later Erin Matsumoto stripped the ball from Quirions hands, and the Monks fouled Kho sending her to the line. Kho nailed both of her shots giving the Tigers a two point lead with 43 seconds left to play.

Matsumoto blocked a 3-point attempt by Saint Joseph's with 12 seconds left to play and the Tigers walked away with the win.

Saint Joseph's opens Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play with a game at Albertus Magnus College on Saturday, January 10th. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.

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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 430-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.