

Caltech posted its first conference victory in more than 26 years Tuesday, defeating Occidental in its season finale, 46-45, bringing its run of 310 consecutive conference losses to an end. It was the longest conference losing streak in the nation.

Caltech ends the season at 5-20 overall, its best season since 1994-95 when it finished 8-15. It was the Beavers' first conference win since a 48-47 victory over La Verne on Jan. 23, 1985. In 2007, Caltech broke a record 207-game NCAA losing streak with an 81-52 victory over Bard College of New York.

[FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated it was Caltech's best season since 1995-96 when the team went 4-19. It's Caltech's best season since 1994-95.]

PHOTOS: Losing streak ends

"Tonight's win is a testament to the hard work each member of this team, the alumni and the supporters have put into this program. I hope that everyone who has participated in Caltech men's basketball is able to celebrate a little bit tonight," said Coach Oliver Eslinger on the school's website. "We still have goals and aspirations that we want to accomplish as a program and this win is another step toward meeting these objectives."

Ryan Elmquist scored the winning point, hitting the first of two free throws with three seconds left. Occidental missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

-- Austin Knoblauch

Photo: (From left to right) Pan Wang, Ethan Boroson, Marcus Lucas and Alex Runkel celebrate CalTech's 46-45 victory over Occidental on Tuesday. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times