A strong first half effort proved to be the difference for the University of La Verne as it held Chapman University to 32.7% shooting en route to a 58-47 triumph over the Panthers in SCIAC men's basketball action Saturday evening in Orange.
La Verne led virtually the entire game and maintained a double-digit cushion for much of the second half to complete the regular season sweep over Chapman, whom it defeated 73-63 in the first meeting in January.
Chapman's only lead came on a Colin Zavrsnick jumper for an early 4-2 advantage. Jake Vieth would later connect on a three-pointer to put the Leos back up 5-4 at 16:07. From there, La Verne would not relinquish its lead the remainder of the game.
A jumper by Vieth boosted the Leopard lead to 15-8 midway through the opening half. Up 19-14, the Leos reeled off eight unanswered points - culminating on consecutive jumpers from Eric Becker and Vince Bauer - to claim a 27-14 lead on its way to an 11-point halftime cushion.
In the second half, Chapman closed the deficit to seven at 33-26 on a jumper from Taylor Hamasaki at the 15:28 mark. However, the Leopards turned back the uprising with a 7-0 run capped by a Vieth three-point to give the Green & Orange a 40-26 lead with 12:33 left to play.
The Panthers mounted a threat and again got within seven on a Zavrsnick triple to cut La Verne's margin to 42-35 with 9:51 left to play. La Verne countered as Alex Wolpe connected on consecutive jumpers followed by a basket from Vieth to grab a 48-35 lead with 8:25 left.
A pair of Alonzo Young free throws pushed the Leopard margin back to double digits at 50-39 with 5:18 remaining. After two Panther free throws, Young hit a basket to boost the La Verne advantage to 52-41. From there, the Leopards never relinquished their double-digit margin.
On offense, the Leopards continued to ride the hot hand of Vieth, who poured in a game-high 22 points. Young added 11 while Bauer registered eight points. Zavrsnick finished with 16 to lead Chapman.
Both teams shot well from the free throw line. La Verne went 10-12 (83.3%) from the charity stripe while Chapman made 13 of its 14 attempts (92.9%).
La Verne continues league action Wednesday night as it plays host to Whittier College at Frantz Athletic Court in a 7:30 pm tip-off.
