LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The playoff hopes of the CLU women's basketball team took a hit on the road Saturday evening as the Regals fell 48-40, watching Occidental clinch at least a share of the conference title on its home court.

Box Score: OXY 48, CLU 40 - F

A 10-point first half run inspired by Erica Whitley and Starla Wright broke a 10-10 tie and gave the Regals their largest lead of the game.

The Occidental defense held Cal Lutheran scoreless over the final two minutes and clawed back to within one point at halftime. The momentum continued into the second half and after OXY took the lead with 15:43 remaining in regulation, the Tigers never trailed again.

It was a sign of things to come as the Regals offense was held to a season-low 40 points, after being held to 49 in the original meeting between the two teams back on Jan. 29.

After the hosts earned their biggest cushion of the game at 36-28 with 10:38 left, a couple of CLU triples late in the shot clock by Erica Whitley and Meaghan Goodenough cut the deficit to two points.

Occidental's Stephanie Scaman scored a game-high 15 points and provided a crucial three pointer late in the contest. After Wright's basket closed the gap to 41-40 with just over three minutes left, Scaman hit from downtown on the ensuing Tiger possession pushing the lead back to four. Cal Lutheran would not score again the rest of the way.

Scaman finished with a double-double including 10 rebounds. For CLU Brianna Parker grabbed 11 boards to lead all players.

By virtue of its victory Occidental can finish no worse than tied for first in the conference standings and has clinched at least a share of the SCIAC regular season crown.

Cal Lutheran (13-11, 7-6 SCIAC) will host Whittier in the regular season finale on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. The Regals will need a win and a La Verne loss to Redlands to have any chance of a berth into the SCIAC Postseason Tournament semifinals on Feb. 25.