By Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern
La Verne, CA — The Leopards returned home on Wednesday evening and battled with the visiting California Lutheran Regals. Timely defense and clutch three-point shooting helped boost the Leos to victory, 71-67.
Senior guard Jaelynn Curley led the way offensively while the Leopards were on the road, and carried the ferocity back with her to The Tents. Curley set the floor on fire with 31 points, including a game-winner from downtown and two insurance free throws to seal the deal.
Trailing 67-66 with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Curley created space for herself along the perimeter and nailed her night's eighth three point shot to regain the lead, 69-67. Upon entering as a substitution on Curley's game-winner, junior forward Casey Kuramoto used her length to nab a steal from the Regals' offense with only :42 left in regulation which locked down the win.
Kuramoto's clutch play on both sides of the ball brought the Leos back to life several times throughout the game. She scored nine points on 3-7 shooting, all of which she handled beyond the arc; likewise for Marissa Howell, the Leopards' first-year guard, who scored her own nine points on 3-9 from long. Senior Monica Garcia tallied eleven on the scoresheet while also snagging six boards.
The University of La Verne women's basketball team earned their third conference win to improve to a 3-6 SCIAC record, which they look to build on when they travel to Caltech on Saturday, Jan. 29.