A decisive first half scoring run by the University of La Verne proved instrumental towards a second consecutive win as the Leopards cruised past visiting Caltech 90-66 in SCIAC action Wednesday night at Frantz Athletic Court.
La Verne shot 56.7% for the game and connected on seven three-pointers on its way to its highest point total of the season.
The Leopards went on a 17-0 run early in the first half en route to a 41-22 halftime lead on the Beavers and would finish the game strong on offense by shooting 61.3% in the final 20 minutes.
The score was deadlocked at 5 before the Leopards reeled off 17 unanswered points. A jumper from Vince Bauer ignited the run for an early 7-5 Leopard lead. Brett Stephan's jumper at 12:43 gave La Verne its first double-digit advantage at 16-5. The scoring spurt concluded with a three-pointer by Jake Vieth and a free throw from Stephan to provide the Leos with a 22-5 cushion at the 10:20 mark.
The Leopards (4-11, 3-4 SCIAC) continued their assault and would lead by as many as 22 points on an Alonzo Young basket for a 39-17 advantage with 2:36 remaining before halftime.
Alex Wolpe's dunk to open the second half signaled a strong offensive effort over the final frame as the Leopards would connect on 19 of 31 shots from the field after intermission. The Leopards maintained a margin of 20 points or more for much of the second half and led by as many as 26 points.
All 15 Leopards in action would score in the contest as the squad collected 39 points from its bench.
La Verne enjoyed a 43-31 edge in rebounding and produced 34 points in the paint.
Vieth totaled a team-high 18 points while Wolpe contributed 14 points. Bauer and Jourdan Simmonds tallied 8 points with Paul Titchener finishing with 7 points. Bauer and Ronn See grabbed 7 rebounds each to tie for team-high honors.
Caltech's duo of KC Emezie (22) and Michael Edwards (18) combined for 40 points. Emezie would finish 8-14 from the field including a 3-4 effort from three-point range.
La Verne continues league action this weekend as it makes the short trip to Claremont to battle Pomona-Pitzer in a 7:00 pm start.
