The University of La Verne used the formula of defense and rebounding to earn yet another road win in conference play, defeating Pomona-Pitzer 60-50 in SCIAC men's basketball action Saturday at Voelkel Gymnasium in Claremont.
La Verne (10-8, 5-2 SCIAC) collected its fourth road win in league play while also earning its first win at Voelkel Gymnasium in seven seasons. The last Leopard victory at Pomona-Pitzer occurred January 24, 2004 in a 90-84 triumph.
The Leopards led nearly the entire game, taking a 31-25 lead into intermission. The Sagehens cut the deficit to three points but would get no closer. La Verne turned back the Hens by controlling the final four minutes, stretching the advantage to 12 points en route to a 10-point victory.
The trio of Austin Napolitano, Trevor Woodland and Alex Wolpe combined for 44 of the Leopards' 60 points in the win. Both Napolitano (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Wolpe (13 points, 14 rebounds) collected double-doubles against the Hens. Wolpe's 14 boards were both season and career highs. He finished 6-of-8 from the field while Napolitano made 8 of his 10 free throw attempts.
The Leopards collected 45 boards on the evening while the Sagehens (6-12, 2-5 SCIAC) grabbed 34 rebounds. Moreover, the Leos held Pomona-Pitzer to 31.6% field goal shooting. Both teams struggled from three-point range, as La Verne made 3 of its 18 attempts from beyond the arc compared to a 3-of-17 effort for the Hens.
Pomona-Pitzer's Xavyr Moss totaled 21 points to lead all scorers. No other Sagehen player reached double figures.
La Verne concludes the first round of conference play in third place in the league standings behind Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Redlands, both of whom are tied for first place at 6-1. The Leopards continue action on the road as it heads to Pasadena to face Caltech on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.