The University of La Verne built an 18-point second half lead over American Sports University and held off a late rally by the Fighting Eagles to prevail 83-74 in men's basketball action Tuesday night at Frantz Athletic Court.
The Leopards took a 37-30 advantage at intermission after leading by as many as 12 points in the opening stanza. In the second half, La Verne led 52-46 before a basket and free throw from Mychal Thomas sparked an 8-0 run to push the margin to 60-46 with 9:56 remaining.
La Verne (1-1) enjoyed its biggest lead of the game at 18 points after Austin Napolitano scored on a bucket and a free throw to lift the Leos to a 70-52 cushion with 7:21 left to play.
The Leos led 75-57 before the Fighting Eagles cut the deficit to 10 points in two minutes when a three-point basket from Randell Blackmon closed the margin to 77-67 with 1:12 left in regulation.
ASU (0-2) got within five points but did not get closer as the Leopards hit their final four free throw attempts to seal their first win of the season.
Though the visitors enjoyed a higher field goal percentage (50.9%) than La Verne (43.3%), the Leos made 25 of 34 free throw attempts (73.5%) to seize victory. Additionally, the Leopards dominated the glass by outrebouding the Fighting Eagles 44-31 for the game.
Trevor Woodland tallied a team-high 18 points for La Verne with John Leggett contributing with 14 points. Alex Wolpe and Jonathan Bastos added 10 and 9 points, respectively. Austin Napolitano pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds while collecting 8 points.
ASU center Josh Rayne collected game-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
La Verne will continue action next week as they travel to Lancaster to face West Coast Baptist College on Monday, November 29.
