Men's Basketball drops to Pomona-Pitzer

LA VERNE, Calif. — Hakim Arnold had 20 points, but Pomona-Pitzer's backcourt duo of Michael Cohen and Kyle McAndrews combined for 44 points to lift the Sagehens to a 71-64 victory of the University of La Verne men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon.

Arnold was his usual efficient self, hitting seven of 12 shots and converting all six of his free throws.

Cohen and McAndrews each tallied 22 points and both were clutch at the free throw line (16-for-19 combined) down the stretch as the Leopards tried to extend the game. McAndrews added six rebounds and four assists.

With the loss, the Leopards fall to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in SCIAC play. Pomona-Pitzer improves to 7-13 and 5-6.

The teams were neck-and-neck for much of the game until the Sagehens used a 7-0 run to create a seven-point cushion with 2:21 remaining in the game. Cohen started the run a pair of free-throws, made a driving layup and Adrian Brandon capped it off with a huge three-point play to give Pomona-Pitzer a 66-59 lead.

Kendall McClain responded for La Verne with a layup and a free throw, but the Leopards could not convert on their next possession after a Pomona-Pitzer miss and had to resort to fouling.

McAndrews went 4-for-4 at the line rest of the way to seal the win for the Sagehens.

Cruz Mertens, McClain and Reyes each had eight points for La Verne.

Gibson Farone-Collins supplied 10 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for Pomona-Pitzer.

The Leopards return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. when they host second-place Cal Lutheran (14-4, 8-2 SCIAC).