BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The University of La Verne men's basketball team fell to NCAA Division I CSU Bakersfield, 87-36, at Icardo Center on New Year's Eve.
CSU Bakersfield, who was coming off its first-ever win against a Pac-12 opponent in Cal on Dec. 28, was simply just too much for the Leopards.
La Verne had a hard time executing sets on offense and shot just 25 percent while committing 24 turnovers.
The Leopards didn't much luck on the other end either, as the Roadrunners shot 54.4 percent from the field including a 9-for-17 effort from beyond the arc.
Jordan Stokes had seven points to lead La Verne while collecting three rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.
The Leopards started the game 2 for 4 from the field to stay within two points early, but the Roadrunners unleashed a 23-0 run in a span of about eight minutes to effectively put the game away.
With the game out of hand early, 19 players saw the court for La Verne. Among them were freshmen Victor Costa, Dylan McElligott and Jamaal Willis, who made their collegiate debuts.
Dashawn Richmond of CSU Bakersfield had 22 points off the bench to lead all scorers.
The Leopards return to action on Saturday when they travel to Cal Lutheran to begin SCIAC play. The tipoff is scheduled at 4 p.m.
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