REDLANDS, Calif — Connor Head tied his career-high with 22 points, three Leopards finished in double figures, and the University of La Verne Leopards took a 12 point lead at the break.

But the Redlands Bulldogs got hot in the second half, shooting 62.5 percent to surge ahead of the Leopards to with 80-74 Wednesday night. 

Head went 3-5 from three-point range and also led his team in rebounds, assists, and steals finishing with seven, six, and four respectively. 

Evan Gustafson scored 12 points off the bench to go with four boards. Brandon Rice added 10 points.

The Leopards got out quick the opening 20 minutes, shooting 58.6 percent as a team and knocking down 5-7 three-pointers.

Head gave La Verne their biggest lead of the game with 6:46 left in the first half to put his team up 34-16.

The Leopards held on for a 42-30 lead at the half.

The Bulldogs chipped away at La Verne's lead early in the second period, eventually taking a 49-48 lead on a Hass Berry jumper.

The squads went back and forth the rest of the way with the Leopards getting to within one point on several occasions. 

Rice gave La Verne a shot late when he nailed a jumper to put the score at 65-64 with 4:34 left to play. But the Bulldogs extended their lead to ten on a pair of free throws by Joey Sponheim and held on the rest of the way for the win. 

Cole Currie scored nine points, and Victor Costa added seven of his own.

David Menary led the Bulldogs with 29 points.

The Leopards move to 0-13 overall and 0-5 in the SCIAC. Redlands improves to 5-9 overall and 3-3 in conference. play. 

Next Game: The Leopards play at Caltech this Saturday at 5 p.m.