LA VERNE, Calif. — The University of La Verne men's basketball team rallied late, cutting the Redlands' lead to 64-60 with 6:31 left to play. But the Bulldogs knocked down a trio of threes to hold onto the lead, beating the Leopards 79-73 Wednesday night.
Four Leopards finished in double figures with Cole Currie and Victor Costa leading the way with 14 each. Currie also did well off the boards grabbing eight rebounds. Costa added six rebounds of his own.
Dylan McElligott got off a hot start, knocking down his first five shots to help give La Verne an early lead. The senior finished with 11 points. Connor Head added 13 points of his own.
The Leopards took control early in the game, benefitting off a pair of buckets from big man McElligott. La Verne led for most of the first period until Jordan Holden laid in a bucket with 2:16 left in the half to put the Bulldogs up 35-33. Redlands took a 40-37 lead into the locker room at the break.
Jamaal Willis helped give the Leopards a shot late, grabbing a defensive rebound and going end to end, scoring a contested layup to get the Leopards to within five with 1:28 to play. But Berry Hass put the game away with a three-pointer at the other end.
Next Game: The Leopards get back on the road this weekend when they travel to Orange to play the Chapman Panthers Saturday at 2 p.m.