Thousand Oaks, California - The University of La Verne men's basketball team opened up SCIAC play on the road as they traveled to Cal Lutheran for their 2022-2023 SCIAC season opener.

The first conference game for both schools, La Verne would start the game by getting on the board first as Brad Yasukochi would score the first three points of the game for the Leopards. The ebb and tide of the game throughout the first half would see the teams separate for no more than two points as the game was closely contested on both sides. The Leopards would lead at halftime 48-44 as Brad Yasukochi, Jonas Holt and Kyler Harvey each scored in double digits in the opening half.

La Verne would start the second half by adding to their lead, leading by as much as eight points late in the half. The Leopards would encounter a late game rally by Cal Lutheran, as the game would take a one point lead with 2:50 to play. La Verne would score another basket with .42 seconds left in regulation but would fall in a close game 78-69.

Kyler Harvey led La Verne with 24 points in the game.

La Verne returns home on December 2nd for a game against SAGU American Indian. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM.