EAGLE ROCK, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2020) – The Caltech men's basketball team capped off another historic season in the biggest way possible at Occidental College on Wednesday night.

Junior guard Marcus Gee (Santa Monica, Calif. / Santa Monica) connected on perhaps the most important singular shot in the 101-year history of the program based on all the ramifications surrounding it. The shot, a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the corner coming off an inbound pass from senior point guard Alec Andrews (Folsom, Calif. / Folsom), gave the Beavers a 58-55 win on the road, their ninth SCIAC win and first SCIAC winning record since the conference expanded to nine teams. Moreover, it put a cap on Caltech's first-ever three-game season sweep of Oxy since the 110 Rivalry game began back in 2015. 

Gee's shot also gave the junior the single-season scoring record. The three-pointer provided him with just enough points, 480, to break the 479-point record set by Jordan Carlson '06 during his senior season. With so much history hanging in the balance, Gee's heroics provided the Beavers with plenty of reason to celebrate as they close the book on a season to remember.

"It was just epic," Eslinger said. "When we were able to call a timeout, draw up a play and get the guys settled, I had a feeling we'd be able to get the job done but just wasn't sure how. With the all-time assist leader taking the ball out, I knew he'd make a great decision as far as where the pass went, and it happened to find the greatest scorer we've ever had. I could see in Marcus' eyes as he got going in the second-half that he was ready. The shot felt like it was up there for 10 minutes, but when it splashed through the net I was in awe.

"You don't get many chances to hit game-winners but the fact that he hit the shot he did in the last game with all the surrounding circumstances, it was really incredible."

Gee finished the game with 23 points, all of which came in the second half. The first half took on a more defensive-oriented tone with neither team able to find a sustainable offensive rhythm. As they have done in many games before Wednesday, Caltech mitigated its early shooting woes with a rock-solid defensive foundation and held the Tigers to just 22 first-half points on 32-percent shooting. Neither team attempted a single free throw through the first 20 minutes either, with Caltech's four three-pointers to Oxy's two serving as an early separator. Senior Bret Johnson (Carlsbad, Calif. / Santa Fe Christian) gave the Beavers an early spark by connecting on both of his attempted long balls, which helped stake Caltech to a two-point lead at the half. Between three-pointers from Johnson, sophomore guard Stephen Hei (Newcastle, Wash. / Liberty) and junior forward Spencer Schneider (Houston, Texas / Clearbrook), half of the Beavers' 24 points in the first half came from long range.

"People are going to remember Marcus' shot, as they should," Eslinger said. "As one of our coaches pointed out though, Bret had a huge hand in this too. When nobody on either side was able to score, he came in and hit a big three and then hit another one. It helped us win the first half and give us the extra momentum we needed. When you're able to go down the lineup and have different guys pick it up at different times, it exudes character, confidence and all the technical stuff we've been working on. Everybody had something to contribute and with how into the moment each of our guys were, it's really the epitome of a true team."

If basketball is a game of runs, the second half of Wednesday's season finale embodied that expression. Caltech opened the half on a nine-point run and held Oxy scoreless over the first four minutes. Energized by their home crowd, the Tigers would strike back and regained the lead with just over a quarter of the game left to play. Gee's torrid second half allowed the Beavers to keep pace with the Tigers' newfound offensive rhythm, however, and the two teams traded baskets down the stretch. The outlook appeared positive for the Beavers after the athleticism of Hei and freshman guard Chase Pagon (Solana Beach, Calif. / Santa Fe Christian) enabled the visitors to grab a series of offensive rebounds on their penultimate trip down the floor, but a floater in the lane on Oxy's final offensive possession wound up tying the game at 55 points apiece. 

From there, Gee and the Beavers' relaxed approach to the moment took over. The Caltech offense flawlessly executed a play call from Eslinger and his staff and while the Tigers managed to contest Gee's shot with two right hands in the air, they were ultimately no match for one of the SCIAC's best pure shooters. Andrews paced the Beavers with nine rebounds and two assists, while Hei provided an additional 14 points off the bench on near-50 percent shooting.

"The Tigers are a really good team," Eslinger said. "They are super-efficient and have always played well in their building. Our guys were up to the challenge tonight though, and I think winning the 110 Rivalry game back in November gave us the confidence we needed to get over the hump. I also have to credit our coaching staff for all the work they put in to help make nights like tonight possible. Steve, James and Neel are all hard workers but just as importantly work well together."

With the victory, Eslinger and the Beavers have now made it two consecutive seasons of double-digit wins. They will close 2020 on a three-game winning streak and will now look to this season as the measuring stick for program excellence going forward.

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