CMS Women's Basketball Comes Up Short to League-Leading La Verne

LA VERNE, Calif. - Mary Markaryan had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, but the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team came up short in a battle with SCIAC-leading La Verne on Wednesday night at the La Verne Sports Pavilion, falling 77-67.

The Leopards improve to 19-1 on the season and 11-0 in the SCIAC, while CMS slips into third place in league play at 9-3, as well as 13-6 overall. 

Jacey Carter knocked down five three-pointers for 15 points, giving her 15 baskets from beyond the arc in the last three games, while Ariana Dalia added 14 points. 

CMS was down 26-18, but used a 9-0 run take a one-point lead on a pair of Markaryan free throws with 5:39 left in the half.  Markaryan then gave the Athenas a 36-35 lead at the break with a lay-up with 1:03 left. 

Carter put the Athenas ahead by four with a three-pointer to start the second half, but the Leopards used a 9-0 run to turn a 43-43 tie into a 52-43 lead. CMS was down 12 in the fourth quarter (63-510, before fighting back one last time, as Renee Chong had a three-point play and Carter knocked down a three to close the gap to 63-57.

After two La Verne foul shots, Carter hit another three to make it a five-point game at 65-60, but Marissa Howell (26 points) came right back with a three for the Leopards. Carter hit three of her treys in the final quarter to help give CMS a chance down the stretch.  

CMS will be back in action on Saturday when it travels to Whittier for a 2 p.m. contest.