ORANGE- The University of La Verne men's basketball team lost a 65-64 heartbreaker to Chapman University Wednesday evening.

A back-and-forth contest between the Leopards (5-9, 2-4 SCIAC) and the Panthers (9-6, 3-3 SCIAC) saw a total of 15 lead changes before the final whistle. The Leos took their biggest lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half at 20-11, but a Chapman rally put La Verne in a 30-28 deficit at the break.

More seesaw action in the second half resulted in an eight-point hole for the Leopards with 4:04 to go.  Two clutch jumpers from junior center Niall Harrison and a pair of three-pointers put the Leos within two, but the La Verne couldn't capitalized on a last-second free throw attempt to send the game into overtime.

Sophomore guard Weston Newell led all scorers with 23 points in addition to six rebounds. Senior guard Ron See had 15 points and distributed four assists, while senior forward Eric Becker went for 10 points and seven boards. The Leos shot 44.6 percent (25-56) from the field and 45.5 percent (5-11) from beyond the arc. Both squads grabbed 35 rebounds, but La Verne lost the turnover battle 17-13. 

The Leopards will host Whittier College Saturday at the Franz Athletic Court. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m.