The University of La Verne could not overcome a slow start against the University of Redlands, who held a double-digit lead on the Leopards through much of the contest en route to a 70-58 verdict in SCIAC men's basketball action Saturday evening at Currier Gymnasium in Redlands.
The Bulldogs never trailed, jumping out to a 7-1 lead in the first four minutes of the game. The Leopards were held without a field for more than four minutes before Tyler Hoyt connected on a consecutive three-point baskets to pull within two points of the Bulldogs at 9-7. Redlands would later proceed on a 15-2 run to take a 24-9 lead on its way to a 36-21 advantage at the break.
La Verne (5-13, 2-5 SCIAC) struggled to make shots in the first half as they went 8-31 (25.8%) from the field.
La Verne showed signs of life and opened with a 9-2 run culminating on a Jonathan Bastos layup and free throw to reduce the deficit to 38-30 with 18:03 remaining. That would be as close as the Leos would get as the Bulldogs extended their lead to back 15 points on a Tristan Kirk layup with 14:22 remaining.
Redlands (10-8, 5-2 SCIAC) maintained its cushion throughout the remainder of the contest, leading by as many as 20 points.
Josiah Brensdal led all scorers with 21 points while Brian Kuklok added 16 points for the Bulldogs. Tristan Kirk posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Austin Napolitano paced the Leopards in scoring with 20 points, falling one rebound short of a double-double with 9 boards. The senior forward, who posted a career-high 29 points against Caltech on Wednesday night, edged closer to 1,000 points for his career and currently stands 28 points away at 972. Teammate Trevor Woodland, who tallied 9 points against Redlands, is 60 points shy of a grand at 940 career points.
Bastos totaled 10 points and 8 rebounds while Hoyt added 8 points.
La Verne resumes action Wednesday as it hosts Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (17-1, 6-1) in a 7:30 pm start at Frantz Athletic Court.
