LA VERNE - The University of La Verne men's basketball team fell to Whittier College (9-6, 3-3 SCIAC) tonight, 82-79.

La Verne (5-10, 2-5 SCIAC) placed three players in the double figure scoring column, rallied to overcome a 10 point deficit and scored 24 in the paint - but it was not enough to win the game.  Senior guard Ronn See led both teams with 26 points, five rebounds and eight assists in 26 minutes.

See's indemnible effort was bookended by strong play from the young blood of the team.   Despite trailing for most of the game, La Verne was buoyed by back to back three point buckets by Evan Roberts in the final seconds of the game.  The 6'9" freshman put the Leopards within one with 0:18 left on the clock.  But a missed last look in the final 0:02 seconds of play by La Verne sealed the win for the Poets at the buzzer.

Senior Erick Becker and junior Karl Reyes both scored 10 points for the Leopards.  La Verne shot 44.8 percent from the field and 64.7 percent from the freebie line.

The Leopards will again take the floor on January 22nd against the Tigers of Occidental College.