LOS ANGELES- The University of La Verne men's basketball team was edged 72-70 by Occidental College in the first SCIAC contest of the 2013-14 campaign.
A seesaw battle between the Leopards (3-3, 0-1 SICAC) and the Tigers (3-2, 2-0 SCIAC) was marked by 13 ties and 22 lead changes throughout the game. La Verne held a slim lead for much of the first half, but a 15-5 Occidental run to close out the period put the Leos down 37-31 at the break.
La Verne scraped its way back to a second-half lead, holding a 62-56 advantage with 6:30 remaining, but was unable to withstand an Oxy rally and a pair of last-second free throws to ice the game.
Senior guard/forward Alonzo Young led the Leopards with 18 points in addition to grabbing eight boards. Senior winger Brett Stephan had 11 points, including a 3-for-5 effort from three-point line range, while senior guard Ron See chipped in four assists and five steals.
La Verne will host Pacifica College Friday night in a non-conference match up. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Franz Athletic Court.