LA VERNE, Calif. — Hakim Arnold posted a double-double despite battling a sickness and Brian Stiver was solid on both ends of the court for the University of La Verne men's basketball team but Claremont-Mudd-Scripps made just enough plays to edge the Leopards, 65-60, on Wednesday night at Sports Science and Athletic Pavilion.
La Verne falls to 9-12 overall and 7-5 in SCIAC play. CMS improves to 10-10 and 5-7. With Chapman defeating Whittier, the Leopards remain tied for second place in the SCIAC standings with the Poets.
The Leopards kept within striking distance of the Stags, who led for most of the night, and got within a possession on several occasions. The closest La Verne got was when Arnold made a tough floater in the lane and Connor Head followed up with a circus shot floating sideways toward the baseline to get the Leopards within 54-53.
But Jason Harrington answered with a 3-pointer and the Leopards came up empty the next two offensive possessions as the Stags stretched the lead to 60-53 with 29 seconds remaining in the game.
Anthony White banked in a three from straight away to cut the lead to 60-56 but the Stags converted their free throws the rest of the way to hold on for the win.
Stiver played a big role in limiting All-SCIAC center Shelby Lane to 10 points and went 4-of-5 himself to finish with eight points.
Arnold finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds and Connor Head chipped in 10 for La Verne.
Jack Earley and Michael Scarlett each scored 13 points for CMS and Harrington had 12, all of which came in the second half.
The Leopards are back in action on Saturday at home against Occidental.