LA VERNE, CA — Jasmine Xiong and Jazzlyn Johnson had big games offensively and the University of La Verne women's basketball team pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Westcliff Warriors 82-68 Saturday afternoon.

Season Impact

The Leopards notch their second straight win and improve to 2-1 overall. Westcliff falls to 2-7.

Xiong led all players with 21 points and sunk 4-6 shots from beyond the arc. The guard came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 of her points in the period as the Leopards outscored the Warriors 26-12 in the frame. The Lemoore, CA native also added a game-high four steals with four rebounds, three assists, and a block. 

Johnson got off to a hot start, scoring nine of her 20 points in the first quarter. The sophomore also grabbed seven boards, dished out four assists and added three steals. 

Down 37-28 early in the third quarter, the Leopards quickly erased the deficit when Destinee Garcia, Johnson, and Xiong knocked down three-pointers on three consecutive possessions to tie the game. Another bucket by Garcia, a layup and three-pointer from Alondra Ponce, and a make from Rachel Gafford completed an 18-0 to put La Verne up 46-37. Garcia racked up a team-high nine rebounds.

The Warriors briefly retook the lead early in the fourth quarter when Lauren Davis single handily sent her squad on a 6-2 run to jump in front 61-58. But Xiong responded with another three to tie the game and Gafford laid in a shot off the glass to put the Leopards up for good. La Verne ended the game on a 24-7 run.

Gafford finished with nine points and three rebounds. Freshman Charnpreet Takher grabbed eight boards and added one assist, one steal, and one block.

Kayla Rubio had a big game off the bench, totaling eight rebounds and six points. Rebecca Horn scored nine points off three makes from three-point land.

Davis led the Warriors with 19 points. Andrece Tate and Mammusum Secka each scored 10 points.

Next Game

The Leopards open SCIAC play next with a home game against Whittier on Wednesday, November 20 at 7 p.m.