By Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern
LA VERNE, CA — The Lady Leos overcame an early deficit to snap a 14-game losing streak against the Claremont Mudd-Scripps Athenas on Wednesday, by a score of 62-55.
With the game separated by two points heading into the fourth quarter, senior point guard Jazzlyn Johnson took over. To start the quarter, she flew to the basket converting two quick buckets, both coming off of offensive rebounds.
La Verne's lockdown defense limited the Athenas to only four points in the game's final quarter. Insurance points added by senior forward Kayla Rubio and first-year shooting guard Marissa Howell allowed the Leopards to coast to their first SCIAC victory this season.
CMS jumped out to an early 17-13 lead after the first quarter, and were able to gain a seven-point advantage over the Lady Leos in the second, but La Verne began to chip away — with a pair of three-pointers from Howell as well as senior guard Jaelynn Curley.
The Athenas' final lead came halfway through the third quarter, but the contest's final 15 minutes were dominated by the Leopards.
Howell and Curley caught fire beyond the arc, substitutions played their roles to perfection, and La Verne's complete team effort earned their first conference victory after two heartbreaking losses.
Johnson led the Leopards with 15 points, scoring twelve in the second half, shining when her team needed its leader most. Howell and Curley scored 13 points apiece, and Kayla Rubio just missed her fourth consecutive double-double performance; she tallied eight points and 10 rebounds. The La Verne bench as a unit combined for 37 points scored.
Yet perhaps the unsung hero of the game was junior Natalie Maldonado. Her hustle and tenacity on the floor showed beyond the stat sheet. However, on the stat sheet she posted four assists, six boards, two steals, and five points — all five of the points coming in the first quarter when the Leos were struggling for buckets.
The Leopards advance to a 4-3 overall record and with their first SCIAC win improve their conference record to 1-2. The Athenas were handed their season's sixth loss and share a tie in the conference standings with La Verne, sporting their own 1-2 SCIAC record.
The Lady Leos take the hardwood one more time this week in their second matchup with Bethesda University in The Tents at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10.